cramerhunts

How cool is that, big time congratulations on a great ram.

Great stuff man! Awesome job and I feel for you on the editing, major chore.

Early on in the year I gradually figured out that I had a unique opportunity to try and take a Single Season Grand Slam. With some hunts booked and other work trips that would put me in areas at the same time as season was open, I decided to go for it. After my recent trip to Texas I am half way there with two more to go. Texas was a blast, the birds were fired up and hammering. I should of had two on the ground but just couldn't make it happen on the second bird. The first afternoon I got to the ranch I set up on a fence line that several groups had been using to feed down on the way to their roost. I wasn't even settled in when a big tom snuck by me at 5 yards! I was completely caught off guard! I was kicking myself so hard I almost didn't hear the gobble behind me. I gave a few sequences on the pot and got tucked in tight with the ole 20. Not long after I had two gobblers coming from my left and two more coming from my right. I could see the biggest was on the right and just about ready to duck under the fence. Of course the video camera was on the birds coming from the left and I didn't dare move (sometimes you have to decide to film or hunt and I chose the latter). The big bird cleared the fence and met a face full of mag blends that ruined his day and made mine. The one that snuck by me. The two from the left. My first Rio Grande 10 5/16" Beard, 1" spurs, 21.4 lbs. He also is sporting a second beard which is another first for me. 4 1/16" I'm looking forward to chasing Merriam's here in AZ and then onto Eastern's in Missouri.

Short video I put together. A lot of turkey talk on it.

Very very cool! Can't wait to see the rest. Great job!

I was fortunate enough to be able to hunt Florida this year and to have a great start of the season. I sure hope it can continue like it started! I flew down to Orlando on Thursday and quickly drove the couple hours south to meet up with good friends Ben and Charley of Swamp Gobbler Outfitters. These guys are a class act and some of the best turkey hunters I've ever had the pleasure to be around so I knew we'd be on birds in no time. With a short night behind us we headed out to get in position in the dark and it wasn't long until that magical sound filled the air. Ben sweet talked a big old tom into our position just like it was laid out on a map, however I never felt comfortable with the shot and we watched as the bird slowly slipped away. We changed our set up and gave it a little longer before picking up and doing a little running and gunning. After a while we struck up some loud mouth hens buried in the thick stuff so we eased up to the edge of a field on the other side of the thick stuff. We set up next to some short palmettos with the hopes of calling in the vocal hens and having them drag along a gobbler. Shortly after getting in position a gobbler sounded off and it was definitely separate from the hens. Next thing I know there is a big swamp gobbler headed straight at us. One quick shot from the 20 and it was all hugs and high fives. I didn't have a return flight for the next few days so I was fortunate enough to tag along with the guys when they called in three long beards the next morning, one of which the other hunter was able to take. We then did some predator control, some fishing, some scouting, some filming, some hog hunting, and just about everything you could think of. A total and complete blast, truly an epic hunt! I'm stoked with my black wing turkey, he ended up with 11" beard, 1" & 1 5/16" hooks, and weighed 18.2 pounds. I can't thank Ben and Charley enough but hoping I can get them out west someday to try and return the favor some.

Congratulations on a great buck! Very cool to take him off your own land and have the history with him.

Thanks! It was a blast and I am definitely blessed to be able to hunt as much as I do. It's my daughter's guns twin. I had so much fun patterning hers I built one for myself. They are identical except I added an inch to the lop on mine. We put white turkey tracks on hers and black on mine for easy identification. We will both be toting them in May in Missouri.

Happy birthday my friend. May today be a great day with many, many more to come!

Thanks guys. I will be hunting in Trenton, Missouri and from what I've seen the birds are doing pretty good in that part of the state. I hope this is the case as my daughter will be trying to complete her Royal at the same time. In AZ I'll be hunting the second hunt on the San Carlos. I've been talking to Jay and this is still a possibility but more than likely will be next year as my father drew a Gould's in AZ and my grandfather drew a Merriam's in 8/10 so my spring is jammed up pretty good. I love this time of year!

You've got some slammer bucks, good luck on them!

Happy Birthday Dan, I hope you have a great day and even better year!

Good luck on the upcoming hunts! I was at the seminar as well and always enjoy watching the clips and listen to people talk Turkey. Looking forward to some stories and pictures!

I listened to it yesterday and enjoyed it a lot! Great information and perspective, new or veteran turkey hunters alike can pick up some helpful tips from the episode. Awesome job and thanks for doing it.

Such an incredible opportunity and what a great hunt to look forward to. I can't wait to see the pictures!

Right, wrong, or indifferent I will always call them sheep and refer to them as ewes, rams, and lambs. I've been fortunate to hunt them quite a few times and it's almost as addicting as any other "sheep" hunt I've been on. As for the taste, I actually think it is quite good as long as it is taken care of properly. The older rams can be pretty tough but still have great flavor. I've yet to eat any that I didn't like.

Great looking call and striker!

I didn't kill any hogs, really no desire to but had many, many opportunities if I would of wanted. No snakes, there are some in the area and saw one last year but fortunately none this trip.

Huge congratulations on a dream buck! Completely awesome.

I believe Swamp Gobbler Outfitters is at $2,200 all inclusive this year. It is a 3 night/3 day hunt with everything provided. Here is the link to their website. http://www.swampgobbleroutfitters.com/ The Osceola is high on the list for funnest turkey I've hunted; the location, their color, the short intense gobble, and of course their long spurs!

You have a gift for writing and I really enjoy reading your stories. This one is no exception. Great stuff right here. Awesome man, thanks for sharing your family's story.

I agree on the young buck part but I think he has more length up there then a guy would first think. With the limited views he gives its hard to put a hard number to him but from what I can see I think he'd push the 110" mark. Would like to see him from the front more before I'd feel comfortable standing firm behind that guess though.

Some great looking bucks Ernesto! Big congratulations to all.

Hope you had a great birthday, happy belated.

Congratulations to him on a great black buck! Way to go guys. Sorry to hear the trip was less than desirable, that sucks putting in the time and effort to not have it be good.