Couestracker Report post Posted July 31, 2014 On my 2012 New Mexico turkey hunt the birds were quiet-if there were any there to begin with-just couldn't locate any in the usual areas. I decided to go down a narrow canyon that had an intermittent flowing creek, as I've had luck there in the past. I hiked in well before first light and I setup about a mile and a half down the canyon, where a couple of side creeks joined up. As the sky got lighter, yelping with various calls into the otherwise silent woods, I realized I was less than 100 yds from where I took my first New Mexico turkey. Then I thought I heard something. I returned a yelp and heard it again. Couldn't tell what it was, but it was up on the Mesa above me and a long ways away. I kept calling, and then the sound got distinguishable.....it was a gobbler! Slowly but surely, he got louder and closer - he's coming in! The canyon bottom was narrow, and climbed steeply up to where the bird was coming from, but I picked this spot because it rolled off the Mesa down to the creek at a small drainage. As the turkey gets louder and closer, I'm looking up at the ridge line through the thin foliage and tree branches. And then I see him! As I watch him following the descending ridge, he walks behind a fallen log, so I better positioned myself to where I figure he's going to hit the creek bottom, get my shotgun up on a knee, then......nothing! I can't see him, I'm quiet, he's quiet, I wait longer than I thought it would take him to get down. I'm figuring that he's behind that log, so as I watch up there, I pickup a striker next to me and scratch out a yelp on my slate call. GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE. Oh no, I see him, directly in front and above me and he's headed back up the hill - he saw my movement for sure. I was kicking myself, but thinking he's NOT getting away. I watch him through the brush as he's climbing the hill, then I look ahead of him and see a small opening in the brush. While he approached that opening, I spun around and got my shotgun aimed up there, it was about a 45 degree angle and 50 yards. He made the clearing and I made the shot....TOM DOWN! He actually rolled/flapped his way down the steep hillside to the creek bottom in front of me. He was a nice tom, weighed 17 pounds, had a 10 inch beard and only 1 spur. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Cool story. Thanks for sharing and rememberin that bird! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues assassin Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Nice bird! Is that a Versa Max? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couestracker Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Nice bird! Is that a Versa Max? Thanks, but no, it's a Merriam's turkey. Ha ha, just kidding. It's a Browning Gold Hunter 12 Guage. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Always enjoy reading your stories Tommy. Thanks for another good one and congrats on that bird. Good pics as well. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Browns Report post Posted August 1, 2014 Congrats! I love NM Turkey hunting!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Awesome, thanks for remembering and sharing the hunt with us. I really enjoy your turkey adventures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Awesome, great times in NM! One spur bird is pretty cool, good beard, longer than my 2 nm birds Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
