The first week at least 4 times I had Tom's within 20 yards. Once I tried to draw back and the turkeys picked me out right away. Another time I drew back before the turkeys were in sight. They still somehow saw me move. It was a frustrating week. Not only did I not shoot a deer but I had several groups of Tom's within 15 yards and I could not even draw back on them. It crossed my mind to set up a blind but I was in a good whitetail hunting spot and that was my primary goal to shoot a doe for the freezer. I went home frustrated that I did not release an arrow at a whitetail or a turkey.

Fast forward 4 weeks and the rut is in full swing. My mind is totally focused on whitetail and shooting a buck. Still, those turkeys were walking by every day sometimes twice a day. Each time the turkeys came by I could not get to full draw. On November 11 th I was able to arrow a nice buck. Now I was focused on shooting a doe to end my hunt. In the back of my mind I was chomping at the bit to get one last crack at those turkeys. For two days I waited and they never came by. My last morning hunt I heard some leaves behind me rustle. I didn't move an inch hoping not to allow what ever it was to see my movement. Eventually the noise moved up the hogs back and I could see it was three Tom's. Trailing behind was a fourth Tom. He must have been the runt of the litter. His beard was about an inch long. The other three Tom's had some good beards on them. The Tom's came running right into my shooting lane just like they have done so many times before only to leave me frustrated. The Tom's were feeding away. Heads were bobbing up and down at super speed. I saw an opportunity where all three Tom's were facing away from me at the same time. This was a rarity and I slowly started to draw back. I got half way and the turkeys immediately stopped feeding and started to hurriedly walk away. I swear they have eyes behind their heads! "My Bear Archerys "The Truth II" came to full draw anyway thinking this would end like all the other opportunities I had throughout the past two weeks of hunting. I could have taken a shot at one of the Tom's as they were walking away but it was not an ethical shot to take. I watched the turkeys walk around a small pine tree. I was still at full draw. To my surprise the largest Tom turned around and walked back into my shooting lane. I put my 20 yard pin right on his breast and released. My Carbon Express arrow knocked the Tom over and all three Tom's ran around the hogs back out of my sight. I could hear the Tom flapping his wings. I new I had hit him. I climbed out of my treestand and walked over to where the turkey had been standing. I found feathers and my arrow. I could see the Tom flapping 15 yards away. The other two Tom's were standing next to the bird I had hit. I ran towards the Tom just like you see in the videos. The Tom got up and hopped a few feet and then sat down. I knocked the same arrow and shot the Tom a second time from 8 yards. This time the Tom was finished although I probably didn't need the second shot.



I have harvested a lot of animals over the years. I can't say I have had a more challenging or satisfying hunt than this turkey hunt. I felt great pride as I grabbed the turkey by the feet and threw the bird over my shoulder. It has an 8 inch beard and a beautiful feathered tail which I plan to mount. We made turkey nuggets. It was the first time I ever tasted turkey. It was pretty good. I am putting in for a spring turkey license in both Wisconsin and Minnesota . I think I am hooked. It won't be the same hunting out of a blind. Probably a lot drier!

This hunt I was shooting Bear Archerys The Truth II, Timberline Power Glow Extreme Sight, Trophy Takers arrow rest, Carbon Express arrows and Trophy Ridge broadheads. All of these products performed extremely well. I look forward to using all of these products in the future.