2020 Turkey Limit Filled

[Steelhead]

Got my third bird yesterday and reached my season limit. This one was special because of the distance; shot this bird offhand at 215 yards. Happened upon a big flock of hens and toms with nothing but open country between the birds and us. Used my Texan .308 with the 110 gr. FNGC (custom mold from Arsenal)  Best bullet by far for this caliber/platform at all distances.

To quote my brother, '2020 has thus far used no lube'. I would have to agree, but being able to get afield and hunt with a friend is a welcome thing right now mental health-wise and 'tagging out' with an airgun is very rewarding.

I will also note that my partner (Steveoh) and I kept our 6' distance, drove separate vehicles (even going through the fields), and were very conscious of social distancing. Hard to not high-five after a successful hunt, but we're all getting used to it.

Big thanks to Steveoh for the pictures and for assuming the spotter's role. He ranged the birds for me which allowed me to focus on my holdover. Probably would've missed or not shot at all without that accurate input at the right time.

Turkeys are in the rear view for this hunter, and on to pursuing the coyote I saw last week on one of my permissions. Never taken one with an ag and it's on my bucket list.

[Luis Leon]

Wow! That is incredible shooting on a tough bird at a far, far distance. Thanks for sharing your time afield. Congratulations.

[longislandhunter]

I agree, that's one heck of a shot.  Congrats.

Jeff

[MI Yeti]

Awesome shot. Congratulations on a nice turkey 

[gatorfiend]

Congrats on a beautiful bird!
Very nice shooting.

[Rico14]

Congrats on getting three birds. Most people don’t even get a chance for one

[wolverine]

i couldn't make that shot if the gun was in a vise and the turkey was holding up a bullseye!  congratulations on a fine hunt and good luck with the yotes! 

[Steelhead]

Thank you for the kind words! There aren't enough of those around much these days....folks are on edge.

I must be honest and confess that while that was indeed a good shot, it was more because I didn't have a rest and shot sitting down than the distance itself. That bird at 140 yards would have been more challenging. The scenario played out perfectly as the flock of birds was between 200 and 215 yards. I have practiced at that range probably more than any other with my Texan on my backyard range. I feel that 200 yards starts to show the differences in bullet type, tune, etc. and so that's the 'gold standard' distance that I shoot and base my performance on. I can of course shoot further and closer, but I have the scope dope for 200 burned into my brain. That's why a shorter distance would've been harder; been a while since I was on the range and I didn't have confidence in my other distances (memo to tape dope chart to gun next time)

So when Steveoh verified that the birds were pacing around between 205 and 215 that sealed the deal on taking the shot. It was just a matter of trusting the range finder and using the holdover that I knew was right. Sort of a perfect storm setup for me, but not for the turkey, lol.

[Habanero69er]

Excellent Kevin!

[smythsg]

WOW, that was a fantastic shot with that "BB Gun", and a nice bird!!!   Congrats on the limit.

[Wayne52]

Great shooting Kevin !!!

[ranchibi]

Kevin, congratulations on filling your limit and 216yds!? Heck of a shot! Steve said you took one with your Raptor! You and Steve make a great social distance turkey hunting team!

[Mossonarock]

That's definitely something to be proud of!

I'm assuming it was a body shot. Can you give us more details about shot placement?

Where I live, the geography and flora don't provide 200 yd shots. 100yd shots are rare.

[steveoh]

I was there and it was an incredible shot. 215 yards is a long way away!

Me? I missed and later slipped on a fresh cow patty and landed on my fanny, picking up a healthy dose of cow poop on my posterior. I couldn’t help but laugh. 

[dk1677]

Wow some shot Kevin!

[Steelhead]

Mossonrock,

I go for the upper chest for an aiming point. I would not do that with a pellet shooter as I have had very bad luck with birds running off. Although I know shot placement is important, a 110 gr. flat nose gives an airgunner a little wiggle room. I also like to account for the variables...it's not on the bench at the range. It's a hunt and you're not always able to have the absolute precise conditions of ranges, angles, or shooting position. I try to maximize my chances of hitting something vital and let the horsepower make up a little bit of the difference. I also spot and stalk 95% of the time so a lot of shots are long compared to calling birds into your lap which is easier on TV then in the field.

Steveoh,

I only saw the aftermath of slipping in fresh cow manure. I didn't overly react because I was raised on a dairy farm; manure is like a garnish or a condiment. I often forget how horrified (not that you were) people get when the come into contact with cow pies. Granted this was also that nice springtime-green-grass-bovine-diarrhea stuff that's more a smoothie than a pie (I know my manure, folks)  I think the funniest thing was that you couldn't tell because of the woodland camo pants! To me it's more fun to think of the reactions when folks get home and their shoes, clothes (in your case), and truck smell like cow manure. It's the redneck's version of stripper glitter...no hiding where you've been   

[Nomadic Pirate]

WOW !!!!...Super cool.

[steveoh]

Steveoh,

I only saw the aftermath of slipping in fresh cow manure. I didn't overly react because I was raised on a dairy farm; manure is like a garnish or a condiment. I often forget how horrified (not that you were) people get when the come into contact with cow pies. Granted this was also that nice springtime-green-grass-bovine-diarrhea stuff that's more a smoothie than a pie (I know my manure, folks)  I think the funniest thing was that you couldn't tell because of the woodland camo pants! To me it's more fun to think of the reactions when folks get home and their shoes, clothes (in your case), and truck smell like cow manure. It's the redneck's version of stripper glitter...no hiding where you've been   

Hahaha. My camo pants were fine. The seat cover in the truck however took two washings to get that Bovine Excrement out.  Wife was annoyed, and she’s from a family that raised horses. Go figure.

[Mossonarock]

Thankyou for sharing your thought process on shot placement. I try to learn what I can from other hunters since I don't get a lot of opportunity to hunt. So, I don't get a lot of opportunity to learn from experience.