On the Ground Outdoors: Vermont turkey hunt is a success!

I just got back from a great turkey hunting trip to Vermont! Our field staff took 3 birds during this trip, and got some great video footage too. Here is the story of one of those birds....and likely the most exciting. Read on.....

Brian and I went out together on his property (having no breakfast or COFFEE) to find us a turkey. Earlier in the week we had called in several birds and really talked it up with some hens, so we knew there were birds in the area.

We set up and called for a couple hours but heard nothing. The wind was horrible this morning and I thought we might do better to move to a lower, more sheltered area to call from. We moved a few hundred yards down the hill towards a huge green field, even checking the field. Finding a really nice open area in some hardwoods, we thought we might as well take a chance and start calling. (what we really wanted to do was walk back to the house and brew coffee).

After nearly an hour of purrs and clucks, I saw a bird cross way down in front of us. Shortly, a second bird crossed the opening......this one had a red head...YEAH!

I whispered to Brian that there was a gobbler out in front and looked like he might be coming to us. Getting ready, Brian could only get glimpses as the hens walked by.....the gobbler moving along behind them. I could not see any of the birds from my position....a great problem for the camera man, huh?

As the hens passed by in a thicket, the gobbler stopped...but behind some trees. As luck would have it, I gave a couple of clucks at the right moment and the bird raised his head.....right into Brian's sights. I did get the shot portion of the hunt on video..right up to the point where Bri said he missed the turkey. Walking down the hill, we found the gobbler in a depression in the ground about 32 yards from our shooting position...DEAD,DEAD,DEAD.

Whew, that was a tense couple of minutes. Never fails with us though, we never catch the easy break....as the birds came by us in the thickest area they could have, and we got no footage of the kill. The hunt though was superb. We faced the nasty weather, silent birds, and tough terrain....we stuck it out and got our chance at a tom.

This gobbler turned out to be a Vermont Jake weighing 12 pounds,10 ounces and carrying a 5&1/8 inch beard.

Brian and I could not believe what had happened....all the way back to the house...and while going to the Vermont game check in station (R&L Archery)...we kept reliving the hunt. One of the coolest parts of this hunt.....because Bri has shoulder trouble he only uses a 2&3/4 in shell. He shot the bird with a 2&3/4 in turkey load from a Remington 870 Supermagnum.....and destroyed that birds head at 32 yards. Very neat.

Later, while dressing this turkey Brian and I talked about our time in the woods together....there's never enough of it.....and even fewer hunts that went like the one we had today. I'll say this was one of he best days I have ever had in the woods......the fried turkey and Mr. Bob's Chuck Wagon Sauce that night made it a perfect day.

Thanks for hunting with us today. Always remember to never give up on a hunt.....never doubt a Remington....and hunt with your brother every chance you can find. Honestly, this hunt will go with us forever...and it happened in spite of that cup of coffee.