CAPTJJ as he's known on Archery Talk hunts in the Adirondack Mountains - not the easiest place to hunt in the State - and connected with this 20 pound Tom on May 13th around 11:00am. The Captain had been out running and gunning earlier in the season, but was not having much luck in the mountains after taking a Jake with the shotgun earlier in the season. He had done his homework and knew where the birds were traveling so he set up his Darkhorse blind and waited.
The grassy flat was halfway up an oak ridge and would funnel any passing birds into bow range. By 8:30am the Captain was ready and he started calling softly. Around 10:30am he though he heard a distant gobble which was soon confirmed by a closer one.
The Captain switched to a mouth call and the gobbler responded to each yelp, getting closer and closer to the hunter. Once the bird got within a hundred yards, the Captain stopped calling and waited for the bird's curiosity to get the best of him.
A few minutes later the Captain could hear the gobblers footsteps behind the blind and listened as the mountain Tom spit and drummed behind him. Finally after about two minutes, the gobbler stepped into view. The Captain was at full draw and let an arrow fly when the bird got to 12 yards. The bird tried to fly away, but only made it 40 yards before the Captain had his trophy in his hands.
This old mountain gobbler weighed 20 pounds and had an 8" beard and 7/8" spurs! That's a big bird no matter where you are! Congrats to another successful NY bowhunter!
Great story.
ReplyDeleteAfter downing my first bird this year, I have a goal of shooting a longbeard next year, and then after that the goal is to shoot one with my bow.
I can't wait.
Congrats to the successful hunter.