a fall treat

[George]

Hurricane Sandy had our weather disturbed for the first few days of our early turkey season, but it was back to a more normal pattern this morning, so I hit the woods. I know a spot where turkeys tend to funnel between the edge of a woods lot and a small island of trees and brush about 60 yards from the edge, and I thought I might be able to ambush one there. I don't know how to hunt fall turkeys, never have a lot of confidence when I try them. My hunch paid off, this morning, though, and I hadn't been in my spot in the little island more than 45 minutes when a whole flock, at least 15, came feeding by. We can take either sex in the fall, so I took the first one which came into shooting range. It was a young jenny at about 20 yards, and I was pleased to see her go down in a heap and begin the death beat.

I was shooting my Jackie Brown flintlock smoothbore, 46", 20 gauge, loaded with 80 grains of FFg Goex and 1 1/2 oz. of #6 shot, using tow wadding.

It's hard for me to think of anything I'd rather do on a beautiful fall day in Kentucky than kill a wild turkey with a flintlock. The woods were stunning with fall color, the sky that special blue it gets at this time of the year, the air had that sharp bite which says winter and deer season isn't far away. On top of all that, to see turkeys up close and personal over the barrel of a flintlock, while dressed in colonial rig, well, it doesn't get much better.

Spence

 

[Britsmoothy]

Fantastic :hatsoff:

You look great, the bird and your flinter :applause:

Nothing like being close after second guessing them (what ever them is!).

Awesome photo's :thumbsup:

Brits.

 

[rabjr]

Sounds like a perfect mornin, grats Spence! :thumbsup:

 

[ncmtmike]

Spence,Congrats :bow: nice bird as well :wink: :wink:

 

[ny griz]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Congrats on a fine bird.Ya did well.Griz

 

[NJ Longbeard]

Great Pics and story as usual! Congrats Spence!! I know what you mean about these beautiful fall mornings. I hit the woods myself this morning with the made 16 ga. Fowler I made last year in search of fall turkeys. I'm in south Jersey just inland of Ocean City where Sandy made landfall.I didn't have as good fortune as you Spence. I heard birds briefly on the roost, but they gave me the slip. I get back out Friday and Saturday and try to take my 1st flintlock turkey! By the way Spence I really like your shirt what material made is it made from ? Its perfect! Take care my friend! :hatsoff: Ed

 

[cynthialee]

:thumbsup:

 

[fort fireman]

way to go!!! :thumbsup:

man I miss fall bird season

 

Great post, thanks for sharing!

 

[410-er]

Great picture! :hatsoff:

 

[silly goose]

I have to agree, of all the things to hunt with a flintlock, turkeys are at the top of my list. Nice job.

 

[wattlebuster]

Congrats Spence :thumbsup: An your right. Absolutly nothing beats lookin over the barrel of a fine flintlock at the greatest game bird ever :hatsoff:

 

[hanshi]

What a great hunt, Spence. Sandy stopped any chance I had to go for early turkey. But deer season starts Saturday and we'll still have a week of turkey season. I'll be carrying a .62 smoothbore loaded with prb so I'll have to be careful if I get a shot at one.

 

[George]

By the way Spence I really like your shirt what material made is it made from ? Its perfect!

It's just a surplus WWII army blanket dyed to cover up the GI olive drab and look a bit like logwood, a common dye of the 18th century. I made it using a shirt pattern, made it pull-over and left the sleeves wide with no cuffs, just folded them back, as you can see. On those nippy mornings I fold them down and put each hand into the opposite sleeve far enough that the sleeves meet, and it's as warm as a muff. They may find me frozen to a tree, some day, but my hands will still be warm. :haha:

Just like the guns, I've been much impressed that the clothes of the 18th century do a good job. They are comfortable, long-wearing and warm. Making and wearing them is part of the package, for me, and adds a lot to mornings like this.

Spence

 

[cynthialee]

If some fella finds you frozen to a tree I suspect he might have to take yer smokepole...
:haha:

 

[cynthialee]

If some fella finds you frozen to a tree I suspect he might have to take yer smokepole...
:haha:

 

[Moose Guide]

You said that, you said that :rotf: Nice bird Spence!

 

[lonehunter]

I enjoy your writings Spence, Thanks for taking us along! :hatsoff:

 

[hawk]

good stuff Spence :hatsoff: nice gun kit and bird
CHEERS! :thumbsup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Good on you, Spence!