Christmas gobbler this morning....

Broomd

WKR
Joined
Sep 29, 2014
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North Idaho
Slow time of year for most of the country for chasing turkeys so I thought I'd post my Idaho hunt from this morning. Idaho has a liberal bag limit for Fall turkeys, six bird limit of any sex in our unit. The season runs through December. It's a hoot in the snow.
I only take one-two birds a year, usually one per Fall if I am lucky enough. I try to take gobblers too, obviously the hens are the brood stock, and we have plenty of coyotes they have to ellude anyway.

The birds have been combing the property most days picking at old cheat grass poking through the snow.

Slipped down the path this morning through the woods to our frozen pond to head off a flock that was fresh off the roost. There were 14 birds total and three gobblers and one bearded hen in the mix. First bearded hen I have ever seen.
I crouched motionless in the snowy scrub for what seemed like an hour, when one of the long beards meandered on in and offered a clean shot. The #4 shot flew true.
The big boss 10"er never came into range. The eyesight and keen awareness of that old mofo is amazing.
This 8" bird will be our Christmas dinner. I'm very thankful to take him and especially right here on our place.

Mossberg 'youth' pump 20 gauge--it's nimble and easy to carry. 3" magnum #4 shot.
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hobbes

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Jun 6, 2012
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Congrats! I've killed a good number of spring birds but never in the fall. How do you plan to prepare it for Christmas dinner?
 
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Broomd

Broomd

WKR
Joined
Sep 29, 2014
Messages
4,303
Location
North Idaho
Thanks guys.
I never pluck turkeys, too much work. I skin them. Skinning makes it pretty easy.
This one will be the first we put in the deep fryer.

I'll do some research on seasoning and cook time for that....
 
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