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Opening day!

Kaiser878

Kaiser878

Senior Member
2,633
97
ohio
I set out to a new property yesterday that I had been getting pics of gobblers on. WIth the conditions I figured I had better set up on the cornfield.. I had one gobbling behind me at first light. SO I figured I was in for a good day...About 30 min after shooting light I had 2 hens come through. I let them pass and I called a bit....No answers...About 2 min after I called I had a red head pop up on the horizon, followed by 4 more red heads. I thoguht for sure I Was in the money! After they crested the hill I realized all it was was a bunch of damn jakes! THey did just what they were suppsoed to though....But I didnt shoot them!
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I thought about it since I Was using my bow, but I Decided against it!
 
Nice pic and story. It could have just as easily been four longbeards. Better luck next time!
 
Last year I passed on jakes on opening day and never had another within range, but I'm sure your season will improve from here!
 
Nothing wrong with seeing jakes! Stock for next year...... I called in several jakes over the past two days as well. It's funny to watch the jakes run in and the 2-3 YO are a bit more leary.

I thought the hatch in my area was poor last year until I checked my cards Sunday afternoon and had a pic of 9 different jakes!
 
Im amazed at the quality of pictures these new cell phones take, as that photo was taken with a cell phone.

I tried talking myself into shooting one of them...I told myself to just shoot one of them in the head with a rage. if I hit it then great...if not no big deal.......but I figured that would not really be a compromise.....as they were only at 12 yards. ha As I stated before, I am not a very good turkey hunter...so in the past thats been my crutch as to why I will shoot a jake...but its time I stop that..so I didnt shoot any of them!
 
Kaiser878 said:
Im amazed at the quality of pictures these new cell phones take, as that photo was taken with a cell phone.

I tried talking myself into shooting one of them...I told myself to just shoot one of them in the head with a rage. if I hit it then great...if not no big deal.......but I figured that would not really be a compromise.....as they were only at 12 yards. ha As I stated before, I am not a very good turkey hunter...so in the past thats been my crutch as to why I will shoot a jake...but its time I stop that..so I didnt shoot any of them!
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A legal bird is a legal bird......if it's a trophy in your eyes shoot it. I'm by no means a turkey killing machine, however, I have taken several birds throughout the years and now I told myself I would shoot only 2YO and older. It's kind of like deer hunting, at first you will shoot anything because you're new at it. Then, once you have a few under your belt you change your "trophy" requirements.
 
Nice job getting on some birds Zack. Way to show the self control! First year hunting here, but i have vowed to eat my tag before taking a jake. Foolish? Probably. Time will tell I guess.
 
Sorry if I sound arrogant J. Not the intention. Just a guy willing to eat a tag. Nothing more. Never killed one before and never hunted them before. I am okay with trying it again next year if I do not succeed this year. I am not afraid to fail.
 
Good stuff, man. Hopefully next time it's a few longbeards instead of jakes! It's probably a good thing you didn't shoot anyway.... With the poor penetration of those Rages, it probably would have just bounced off his head. :smiley_bril:
 
JBrown said:
Good stuff, man. Hopefully next time it's a few longbeards instead of jakes! It's probably a good thing you didn't shoot anyway.... With the poor penetration of those Rages, it probably would have just bounced off his head. :smiley_bril:
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Maybe out of a slow Elite.......anything with the name Z28 aint worth a shit.......you shoulda known that.....look at chevys poor attempts to make a sports car. hahahahaha rotflmao
next time your around ill let ya shoot a manly bow. haha Wayner and Dale got the memo!!!!!!!
 
Kaiser878 said:
Maybe out of a slow Elite.......anything with the name Z28 aint worth a shit.......you shoulda known that.....look at chevys poor attempts to make a sports car. hahahahaha rotflmao
next time your around ill let ya shoot a manly bow. haha Wayner and Dale got the memo!!!!!!!
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Baaaaahahahaa You be cold as ice, mang!
 
hickslawns said:
Sorry if I sound arrogant J. Not the intention. Just a guy willing to eat a tag. Nothing more. Never killed one before and never hunted them before. I am okay with trying it again next year if I do not succeed this year. I am not afraid to fail.
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Phil, I was just fuggin with yah....... It's your call on what you put on the ground no one elses..... Now lighten up buddy...... rotflmao
 
I know J. I am not upset. Just thought I should throw it out there. Not trying to come off as a cocky person. Just what I decided and I want to stick with it. . . even if it means eating my tag for a few years. I don't think anyone is going to knock me for setting the bar high for myself, but I don't want to look arrogant in the process.
 
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