smoked turkey

[GonHuntin]

Went out to the western part of the state Friday afternoon to hunt with my cousin......got there in time to help him move a stand and hunt that evening. I climbed into a stand shortly before 5:00.....not long after, I heard turkeys. At 5:30 a flock of about 30 hens and young birds showed up walking down the old road I had walked in on. As soon as the lead bird got even with the stand, she started putting......I knew the jig was up, so I picked out the largest bird I could get a shot at and sent the crossbow bolt on its way. Twenty three yards later, the bolt found its mark......the hen walked 7 or 8 yards and fell over! I had my fist crossbow killed turkey! The rest of the birds milled around and finally left.....I could see the dead hen and decided to stay in the tree and continue hunting........at 6:30, a lone doe came in to 15 yards.......she was small and skinny so I let her walk......at 7:00, I heard a noise behind me......I turned to be ready for a shot and, after a few minutes, I saw the bobcat that was making the noise......sure was fun to watch it!

Saturday morning....a different stand produced two more small flocks of turkeys.....it would have been easy to kill another one, but the fall limit is one bird so I just watched.......once again, as soon as the birds got close, they started the alarm putts......I finally figured out that they were seeing the orange fletching on the arrows in my quiver.......they do have sharp eyes! Only saw one deer Saturday morning and it was too far to shoot........ Hunted in a light rain Saturday afternoon but had to leave early because road conditions were quickly getting worse.......We had brought my cousins 2wd pick-up and we were afraid of getting stuck! It was a good call, the rain really started coming down as we left the ranch.....

Score so far.......

Opening day.....passed a 5 pt buck at 11 yards....he needs to grow

Friday.....killed a turkey.....passed a doe at 15 yards.....

Still looking for the big one It has already been a great season!

[CoonDawg]

How come you didn't take the bobcat? Congrats on the bird, seem as though you had a very good stand now you just have to do something about those orange fletching

[GonHuntin]

"Furbearer" season doesn't open until Dec 1....... coyotes are not considered furbearers but bobcats are....if I get back over to hunt in December......he won't get a pass!

[kellyg]

Congrats on the turkey!!!

[Bobcat]

You are wicked with that cross bow!! The right deer will come along.........

Good Hunting,

Bob

[Garrett]

Sounds like a good hunt. You could have shot the bobcat as they are considered a non-game animal in Texas. Take a look at the Outdoor Annual that is distributed by TPWD on page 74 you will find a list of non-game animals which includes the bobcat, coyote etc. which can be hunted year round by any legal means. The fur-bearing animals are listed on page 75.

[Bobcat]

Garrett,

That is true......except GH is in Oklahoma! He left that part out. We let him come down and play with us though!!

Good Hunting,

Bob

[ICMCumin]

Good shootin' GH! ;D Getting a big bird with a bow is a feat!