Another Blackpowder Turkey

[The Baron]

Well, after a long and hard fought season I finally filled tag #2 with a 13.7 lb jake. He may not measure into the record books, but taking him at 12 yards with an original 1830's percussion fowler makes him a trophy to me. This is my second bird with this gun (I just switched this year) and that's all the tags I git up here. I was trying to fill my tag with another tom, but this jake strutted, gobbled and did all the stuff a turkety hunter wants. As I squinted through sweat stinging eyes, past the family of mosquitos feeding on my hand and down the barrel at my quarry, I decided it was a good time to "cap" the season off. It was a very still and humid morning, so the "hang" time on the smoke from 80 grains FFg was very pleasing!

Are there any other avid, traditional style blackpowder turkey hunters in here? I'd love to hear other folks' stories!

 

[steved]

Way to go, Baron! I've never hunted turkey so have no stories to share. Surely hope to someday.

 

[musketman]

He may not measure into the record books, but taking him at 12 yards with an original 1830's percussion fowler makes him a trophy to me.

12 yards! :shocking:

So that's how you make smoked turkey... :winking: :haha:

Harumph to you...

 

[roundball]

Went 3 Saturdays this year for the first time with a .62cal smoothbore flinter...heard some each morning but couldn't work the magic...saw a flock in a field as I drove away late in the morning...will try again next spring

 

[smokeblower]

I agree, the thrill of taking a fine bird with a front stuffer, in my opinion, can not be matched. I am very lucky because we are over run with turkeys here. I am limited to three per season here in Tenny. I got my three with my 1842 Armi-sport Springfield smoothie this year. This was also my first year to hunt with this gun. 2 oz. of #4 in front of 100 grains ff goex. I use Bule-Gray overcards and cushion wads from Dixie Gun works.

The only drawback to turkey hunting is those darn chiggers, they get in the darnedest places :curse:

 

[musketman]

The only drawback to turkey hunting is those darn chiggers, they get in the darnedest places :curse:

This is a chigger up close and personal, are you itching yet?

 

[The Baron]

Congratulations Smokeblower! I never knew there were so many turkeys in Tennesee. Hmmm...it doesn't look that far on the map... :winking:

musketman - you have the most impressive repetoir of interesting photos and information that I have ever seen. Keep 'em coming! :haha: