Code3 Report post Posted April 27, 2022 Each year I look forward to a Merriam Turkey tag… sentimentally it’s because this species was my first “Big Game” harvest back in 2017. Yesterday marked my 4th solo shotgun harvest. I like to walk the woods and cold call 2 days prior to opening day for a first morning success, but I’ve never shot a Longbeard opening day! I usually go through the highs and lows of hunting before earning these big birds. This year was no exception. The wind was down right awful to hear or be heard. This year’s Tom was memorable because of how long we danced before pulling the trigger. I saw him walking the woods before he saw me so I quickly sat down without any real structure to blend into. He liked my slate scratching enough to fan out and strut at 55yrd, but there were brushy limbs between us. I kept that call close to my chest without any movement except the wrist. Little did I know, his Hen was behind me and walked past me to group up with the Tom. Once the two reunited, he wasn’t about to leave her and walk uphill into my shooting lane. After 50min of him fanning / strutting / feeding, I realized I had to move in. Slowly removed my vest and all other non essentials that would drag during the creep in. When he fanned facing the opposite direction, I balanced the 12ga on my lap and crab crawled in with the slate call. Occasionally throwing out some clucks and purrs to keep his attention. Took him at 09:45 35yrd puffed up in full fan. What a show! 23 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigbuckfever Report post Posted April 27, 2022 Congrats and nice write up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted April 27, 2022 That’s awesome…congrats! I still love/hate Merriams due to the highs and lows and have yet to tag one myself. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoto Report post Posted April 27, 2022 Nice work and solid report! The wind was no joke on Thurs, Fri and Sat in 5A, no dice for my tag so far. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
campmeat Report post Posted April 27, 2022 beautiful bird! Really enjoyed the write up. congrats 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Little Creek Calls Report post Posted April 27, 2022 Congratulations on a Nice bird. From the look of his spurs I would guess he is a 4 year old bird. Sharp and long. Well done. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zackcarp Report post Posted April 28, 2022 Love that beard! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted April 28, 2022 Nice spurs to! 👍👍👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
218buck Report post Posted April 28, 2022 Congratulations nice bird 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Markleo21377 Report post Posted April 28, 2022 Awesome bro!!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted April 28, 2022 That's a story! Congrats on your success. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Code3 Report post Posted March 31, 2023 In case your wondering where to take your 2023 Spring bird… i just received back my 2022 Merriam Spring Turkey. 10months turn around. Taxidermist Sven Eberson, Wildlife Wings & Designs. No hassle, fair pricing, no excuses, respectful, and honestly friendly. I’m sure it will look even better once mounted in the vaulted ceiling under day light! 🦃 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Tub Report post Posted March 31, 2023 Swen is quite the artiste. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
