IA Born

Its been so fun following your season both here and on IG! Nice job to both of you. You've got me so motivated to get Sydney's Royal going, starting next season!

That's awesome, Ammon! Thanks! Do I need to get you in touch with Roy, or do you have that covered? I'm hoping to convince you to donate a call to our Flagstaff banquet for next February, too!

Bumping this back up. The date is getting closer. I know there will be a Layke Tactical AR in 6.5 Creedmore at the banquet.

A good friend of mine back in Iowa has Boykin Spaniel puppies for sale. His female recently had a litter and he has two left. Both the dame and sire are registered champions and have good blood lines. Tony and I have spent quit a bit of time talking genetics, so I know he knows what he's doing with the blood lines. I'm copying the link to the Iowawhitetail.com forum where he has them listed rather than me trying to do them justice. I have met Oakley and she is an awesome dog. Tony sends me pics every year of Oakley bringing him back pheasants, ducks, geese, and quail. I hate him for it! If you're interested in a good bird dog and family dog, PM me and I'll put you in touch with my buddy. https://www.iowawhitetail.com/forum/threads/boykin-spaniel-puppies.56034/

Sold. Thanks, Jim!

Sold. Thanks again, Jim!

Congrats on a great bird! I'm hoping that will finally be me next spring!

Congrats on a great bird! What were its measurements?

Correct. Jim is driving over tomorrow to pick it up. If that falls through, I'll let you know, Solo Hunter!

Shotgun is SPF...

There are a couple of good apps and many good CDs/DVDs out there. I have a CD I don't use anymore I can probably send to you if you want.

Correct on all accounts. I've been buying fall and spring bonus points for turkey since Fall 2008. And, yes, fall javelina is youth only so you can't buy that point.

Yes I do.

How big are the gongs and for what caliber/cartridge are they rated? I was thinking of buying the materials to make my own for high caliber rifle/long distance and was looking at either 8" or 10" plates.

Definitely a beaver. I've got a skull from Colorado that I found several years ago if you need a comparison.

Congrats on great birds! I've gotten three Easterns when I lived in Iowa, but Rios are my nemesis! I've made two trips to south Texas chasing them. Missed one bird and had one hang up at 60 yards. I want me Rio from Texas!

I absolutely have to brag as a proud dad and hunter. Many of you know how active in the NWTF I am. I received a call about 90 minutes ago from our NWTF Regional Director letting me know that our daughter, Sydney, was selected as the NWTF JAKES Hunt of a Lifetime 2017 turkey hunter in Kansas! She submitted an essay in December on her hunting heritage and now I get to accompany her on an all-expenses paid turkey hunt in El Dorado, KS! She'll be home from school in about 20 minutes and I'll get to tell her! I should be getting an email in the next 2-3 days detailing everything she's won, and I'll be getting a call from the National NWTF JAKES coordinator to work out the details. I can't wait to see the look on her face when I tell her!

Absolutely awesome job!

Road hunters (people who just drive roads looking and listening) irritate the holy he!! out of me. Shooting out of the window is not road hunting. Its poaching/illegal, unless the hunter has a CHAMP permit. Granted, this yahoo probably didn't know Mr. Healy was down there, but to go chasing after a turkey that way? In all the years I've been turkey hunting, I've never seen that work out. I've sat in horror as "hunters" in the vehicle in front of us tried this instead of quietly driving past and setting up ahead of the birds. I was in a similar situation recently and, if not for standing up and waving my arms/whistling, my daughter and I were in the direct line of fire from a trigger happy hunter who had no intention of identifying my decoys. At the same time, I've been driving from Point A to Point B and happened across our quarry and put on a stalk. But I've never just left my truck running or parked in the middle of a road. And if I ever stumble across another hunter in that endeavor, I certainly won't start yelling and cussing at him/her. I will (have, actually) apologize for messing up their hunt and move on with my hunt.

So. Frickin'. Jealous!

I love it when they happen easy for a change! Congrats!

Pics added during lunch break

I'm still so darn giddy about that!

Arizona Wings Taxidermy sponsors part of the youth turkey hunts, and donates a mount every year. They do good work and have locations in both Flagstaff and Peoria. If you were in Flagstaff, I'd have another good recommendation.

Syd and I got back from her Kansas trip yesterday and we're still spinning. Its 9am and she's still sleeping. You'd better be there! Its about time you quit slacking and start mentoring! Seriously, though, I'm glad you decided to mentor this year!! We were at the camp and listened to your daughters story from Kansas. You should be proud. That Kansas hunt seems like it was a blast! Were you able to get on any birds? We were able to get on birds every morning, and roost some every night. They just didn't seem interested in our calls and as soon as they hit the ground they went silent. Maybe a gobble or two after they hit the ground. We didn't hear a single gobble after 7:00am all weekend. We saw a couple birds out and about, but couldn't get it done. They just weren't too interested. Thanks! I'm definitely proud. Beyond proud. She went into this hunt more determined than I've ever seen her. She did quite a bit of the hunt planning and calling after we found the birds, which was great, especially because she planned pretty much like I would have! We got on birds Friday and Saturday, with Saturday being the best. I ended up calling in a hen to 8 yards and kept her talking just enough to bring the gobbler in eventually. He came in to 70 yards, fanned out once, and both hens out in front of us just packed up and walked off with him. There was nothing I could do to convince him. All we needed was 40 more yards! And that was the norm for a lot of hunters I spoke to. This was the most birds I've seen brought in to camp, though. It was great meeting you and talking FH! Let me know if you're up in Flag and hopefully we'll see you at camp again! Thanks! I'm definitely proud. She went into this hunt more determined than I've ever seen her. She did quite a bit of the hunt planning and calling, which was great, especially because she planned pretty much like I would have! We got on birds Friday and Saturday, with Saturday being the best. I ended up calling in a hen to 8 yards and kept her talking just enough to bring the gobbler in eventually. He came in to 70 yards, fanned out once, and both hens out in front of us just packed up and walked off with him. There was nothing I could do to convince him. All we needed was 40 more yards! And that was the norm.