Wild Turkey Hunting

B

Barebones

Well-known member
Getting excited about the upcoming turkey season. I haven't hunted them for years because we have so many it wouldn't be much of a challenge. However, a new twist to the tactics has changed all that: an 80-year-old .410 shotgun and tungsten ammo. Going to pattern the Ninja 9 1/2-shot TSS loads next week. The gun to be used is a Stevens bolt action model 39a, which was sold under the J.C. Higgins name by Sears and Roebuck. It's a fine example of American craftsmanship with beautiful bluing and walnut stock. The relatively new ammo has extended the range of the .410 to 40 yards, based on numerous testing videos on YouTube.

Fortunately, I didn't have to buy the semi-precious ammo which costs $80 for 10 rounds; it was sent to me by the manufacturer, Apex, because I am an outdoor writer and charter member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA). The "donation" is a form of publicity and advertising with results of testing to be published on my blog, https://thinkingafield.org/, and YouTube channel, Glen Wunderlich. Above all else, I am hoping to get my great grandson out to my place for his first-ever hunt in May. He's in the 9th grade and has his hunter education certificate and has expressed an interest in hunting.

Sure is fun looking forward.

If you're going to play some hide and seek with the big birds, let's compare notes.
 
That's pretty cool! Getting your great grandson out hunting will be awesome. I'm 69 years old and still remember my first ever time ever shooting a real gun, a JC Higgins .22 bolt action rifle. My grandpa had to hold up for me because it was too heavy for me to hold.
Grandpa set out a coffee can about 10 yards out and explained to me how to aim and let me take a couple of shots. That was absolutely a milestone day in my young life!
Another time when I was a little older and could actually hold and carry the old .22 rifle myself, we went back behind their house to shoot at ground hogs. That was my first ever experience at any type of hunting. I was even able to shoot a ground hog although it ran back into its hole to expire.
My grandpa died when I was 8 years old so I never got to do any other hunting with him but the memories of those two times I got to go out with him will forever remain crisp in my mind. That old JC Higgins .22 now resides in my gun cabinet.
I've done some freelance writing for Traditional Bowhunter Magazine over the years but nothing on a regular basis. Myself, I don't hunt turkeys although I have in the past but I'm an avid bowhunter for whitetails. Let us know how you and your great grandson do this spring and of course, we'll need pictures! ;)
 
Took the youngster fishing a few years ago and he's been "hooked" ever since. Rides his bike and totes his gear to a local lake now. Hoping he'll get the hunting bug, too.
 

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Turkeys? Try my backyard. I've seen the toms with and without the hens. They like to feed under my wifes bird feeders. Problem is they are not very regular. The feathers on the toms front are nice. Probably very old and tough eating. Back in the 1980"s I owned a resort a resort in northern Michigan (near Oscoda) and turkey season was the time we opened for the year. It suprised me how many turkey hunters there were. Good luck hunting!! Vern
 
I get 60 of them in and out each day - and, that's not an estimate! They sure don't mind a scuffle, either. One of them becomes "it" and a whole gang joins in the pecking-order frolics. Gets serious at times and they lock beaks for over a half hour sometimes. Lots of longbeards in their own groups this time of year.
 
Did a preliminary test pattern yesterday with Winchester #9s, half ounce loads. The idea was to determine point of aim with my vintage, fixed-choke .410 Stevens (Sears) bolt scattergun. Didn't want to waste any of the outrageously expensive TSS ammo at $8/pop. Delightfully surprised with 75 hits within a 10-inch circle at 25 yards. After measuring the bore at the muzzle, I learned that it has the same constriction as aftermarket chokes being sold for newer guns: .385". The TSS loads from Apex boast a whopping 7/8-ounce of tungsten pellets and will be shot at 25 and 40 yards this coming Thursday, when I can get a friend to help with camera work.

Off to a promising start.
 
When my great grandson asked if he could bring a friend along to stay with me, I gave him the green light for opening day April 19th. I gave both of them some bench time with my 80 to 90 year-old Stevens .410 stoked with Apex TSS loads. After both of them were able to center the pattern onto the paper target, I cleared them to hunt the opener on Saturday.

Got them up at 5:30 am and headed out to the large, portable blind. My great grandson had an ideal opportunity at a longbeard at 20 yards and completely whiffed on the shot. His pal took over for an afternoon sit and didn't miss, although the shot was a bit low. The beard measured 11 inches and the spurs were 1 inch long, which would qualify for the record book with the 13-inch total (beard+spurs must be minimum 12 inches for the book).

The 15 year-old had never hunted turkeys, but he learned what an adrenaline rush is all about as he sat there shaking after the shot. Very cool to be there with the youngsters.

The great grandson had another opportunity on Sunday morning, but couldn't make out the gobbler at less than 20 yards, because the low sun was in his eyes. The bird walked off none the wiser.

Two good kids. I let both of them know they were invited back any time and I think the deer might be in trouble this fall.

I didn't do any hunting and took the blind down already, because I'm taking it with me to store gear on a fishing expedition next week. For me, the experience was better than any solo hunt I could have had by myself.

I have plenty of photos and will do my best to post one here, if and when I figure out how to do so.
 
Here is a photo of first turkey taken by my new friend, Brady. Bird has an 11-inch beard with 1-inch spurs. The vintage, full-choke Stevens .410 shotgun shown, too.
 

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Barebones - I think it is great that you introduced two young people to hunting. I do not hunt hunt although my father took me hunting for rabbits and squirrles. (sp?) Everything needs new young people to remain viable. And that includes cubs! Don't forget the girls. Some of them like to hunt too. I'm glad you enjoyed your hunt! Vern
 
Thanks everyone for the thoughts and comments. I told Brady, whom I'd never met before, that he was welcome to return for any type of hunting. I may have a new partner when it comes deer season. The youngster was a complete gentleman while staying with me a couple of days. He even cleaned up after himself! I met his mother when I took him home and told her the same. His parents obviously have done a good job bringing him up in this crazy world. They even taught him the importance of saying "Thank you" - something I've never heard from my great grandson.

As far as not forgetting the girls...I have 2 (twins) great granddaughters 11 years of age. I have introduced them to shooting and if they show any interest in hunting, I'd be pleased to mentor them, too.
 
neighbors wife got a big old tom turkey this year here! Their family hunts a LOT and fish too. 3 daughters of theirs all hunt and get their deer every year!
 
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