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Game: Rio Grande Wild Turkey
Oklahoma Opener It was April the 5th when I arrived in Caddo county Oklahoma to hunt the spring turkey opener with two close personal friends of mine (Mike Strickland and Les Powell). We have all known each other for several years and are always in contact with one another planning our next hunting trip. I had just returned home to Missouri three days prior from work down in the Houston, Texas area. Things seemed like a mad house as I unpacked from work just to repack for the waiting hunting trip. I arrived in Oklahoma in time to head to the woods in search of some birds on the move in hopes of putting them to bed so we could plan a strategy for the opening morning hunt. After a couple hours of watching and talking, we had a plan. We set-up the following morning along a trail in the woods in a blind in hopes of ambushing the birds as they made their way to a nearby food plot . As the sun rose and the morning chill warmed, the wind began to pick up something fierce. The birds pitched down off their roosts and immediately took cover within the thick cedars. Not only was it hard to put an eye on a bird, but trying to hear them or get their attention with calls was virtually impossible. We decided to ditch the blind and set out on foot in hopes of some spot / stalk action in an ambush scenario. As we mounded a slight ridge, a flock of birds appeared at about 60 yards. To our amazement, they were heading directly towards us. We quickly set up, and at the first opportunity, I shot my first gobbler of the season. In the haste of the situation, I had put a bad shot on the bird and he ran/flew about 100 yards into some of the thickest cedars he could find. I made a decision to go after the bird. As I approached the area where I thought the mighty gobbler to be, I found signs of blood and feathers scattered amongst the forest floor. I heard an familiar snarl as I turned to find my bird about 20 yards to my right being devoured by two coyotes. In a split second reaction I shot the closest coyote as the other took to the woods with remnants of my bird. Not quite exactly what I had planned for my first bird of the season. Later that afternoon, as we glassed the meadows and hillsides for birds, we saw a lone tom strolling along a ridge. We quickly headed around a wood line to set up and prepare for the opportunity of a nice gobbler. We no sooner then set out 2 decoys and taken cover under a cedar along the lane beside the wood line, when the tom stepped out at 30 yards. Les was behind me to my left calling for me. As he went to hit his box call one last time the bird eyed him and turned away. I managed to take him at 38 yards walking away from me. Les and I switched spots under the tree as we heard another tom gobble when I had fired. No sooner had we got comfortable, then a flock of about 2 dozen birds appeared along the edge of the wood line in the lane, fast approaching us. As soon as the birds got within range, Les let the lead fly. We had managed under all the pressure, hot weather, high winds and rough terrain traversing that we had done that day, to bag a double at the same set-up within minutes of each other. Both birds were Rio's and to be proud of. I manage filling both my tags that opening day as well as get a bonus coyote. I’ve since returned home and have already dropped all three animals off at the taxidermist. I don’t really need a coyote mount but I felt it was only fitting to remember that particular hunt with 2 great friends. Les only took the one bird that day; however he did get the second coyote as it exited the woods in front of him that morning. All in all, great times, Hunt hard people, hunt safe, and hunt often ... Hope to see you in the woods. Bill Ernst Mossy Oak Pro Staff |
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