Dec. 24, 2009
I decided to get out on this morning and try to take a turkey with my Chambers smooth rifle. It is a fairly new gun and so far, I have only taken 1 squirrel with it for an evening meal during an overnight scout/trek.
I knew an area where a small flock was hanging out regularly, so I eased in to a spot in the dark not far from where they were roosting. I set up close to a small stream where they had been crossing the past few days on their way to forage for feed and waited for daylight. As the sky lightened up, I could hear them yelping in the roost and then heard them fly down. It wasnt long until I had 7 hens approaching the stream crossing.
They hung up on the opposite side of the stream 50 yards away and spent about ten minutes scratching at the base of seveal trees. Finally they headed in my direction and when the lead hen got to within 20 yards, I turned loose with the smooth rifle. The shot rolled the turkey on its back and the hunt was over.
This is the first real game for the gun and is the first turkey that I have taken with a 28 ga. As well, it is the the first time for the horn that accompanied me to be packed on a hunt. I just finished building and scrimming the horn 2 weeks ago. I am going to give the horn to my 13 year old son as a Christmas gift tommorrow.
I feel lucky and humbled today to be able to do what I did. For some reason today, this harvest has a bit more meaning to me than those of the past. Part of the reason is that this is the first time that I have shared my experience with others beyond my immediate family and close friends. VERY FEW people in these parts hunt with a flintlock and understand the connection with tradition. Other than those that read this post, few will ever know that I even took a turkey.
My boy and I will eat good this weekend!
Steve
I decided to get out on this morning and try to take a turkey with my Chambers smooth rifle. It is a fairly new gun and so far, I have only taken 1 squirrel with it for an evening meal during an overnight scout/trek.
I knew an area where a small flock was hanging out regularly, so I eased in to a spot in the dark not far from where they were roosting. I set up close to a small stream where they had been crossing the past few days on their way to forage for feed and waited for daylight. As the sky lightened up, I could hear them yelping in the roost and then heard them fly down. It wasnt long until I had 7 hens approaching the stream crossing.
They hung up on the opposite side of the stream 50 yards away and spent about ten minutes scratching at the base of seveal trees. Finally they headed in my direction and when the lead hen got to within 20 yards, I turned loose with the smooth rifle. The shot rolled the turkey on its back and the hunt was over.
This is the first real game for the gun and is the first turkey that I have taken with a 28 ga. As well, it is the the first time for the horn that accompanied me to be packed on a hunt. I just finished building and scrimming the horn 2 weeks ago. I am going to give the horn to my 13 year old son as a Christmas gift tommorrow.
I feel lucky and humbled today to be able to do what I did. For some reason today, this harvest has a bit more meaning to me than those of the past. Part of the reason is that this is the first time that I have shared my experience with others beyond my immediate family and close friends. VERY FEW people in these parts hunt with a flintlock and understand the connection with tradition. Other than those that read this post, few will ever know that I even took a turkey.
My boy and I will eat good this weekend!
Steve
