Fox Collectors

Sitting on the Eastern tree line of the new farm I’m hunting for our Spring Gobbler season. My split opened up Saturday with temps in the low 40’s with 20-25 mph winds and rain. I hunted but it was miserable weather. Sunday morning was 35 degrees and crisp blue skies. This morning is perfect with 51 degrees and sunshine. I spent the last hour calling and listening to two or three Gobblers respond from the farm to the East of me. A couple hens and three Jakes crossed in front of my decoys about 30 minutes ago and a hen was dragging two Toms through the woods behind me about 40 yards into the property next door. All in all not a bad way to spend a Spring morning!!

Been out 3 times so far here in East Tennessee. I have hunted 2 separate river bottom farms. I had a conversation with one gobbler who showed himself briefly but spooked as I tried to turn his direction for a shot. Nothing like hearing an excited gobbler near your setup.

Due to a family obligation I had to cancel my trip to the Southern. While I was bummed when you have lemons make lemonade!!! Had the chance to hunt w/my S-I-L this morning. 42 degrees and a little overcast but a nice morning.

Knowing the birds were roosting on the farm to the East of us we sat along the Eastern tree line/fence row. Gobbling started about 6:00 a.m. and they flew down about 6:30 a.m. We watched three Toms follow two hens toward the corn stubble and then lost sight of them. I told my S-I-L that they would circle back so we sat there and occasionally yelped and chirped and would get a response. Finally about 7:45 we could tell they were getting closer and just over our right side. Finally at 8:05 a.m. a hen and two Toms emerged out of the woods and into the field. I used a push call w/soft yelps and the two Toms swung our way. My S-I-L took the left bird and 5 seconds later I shot the right bird.

Both were two y/o Toms w/9 3/4” beards and 1” spurs. His bird weighed a good bit more than mine. Unfortunately I didn’t have a scale to weigh them. I was using the AE 32” XF/XF 12 gauge again. First Turkey for my S-I-L so he was pumped! A great morning! Now to get my grandson on a bird.

Now wasn't that more fun than the Southern?

Rbishop wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 1:52 pm Now wasn't that more fun than the Southern?

Reggie, I have to say it sure was fun! While I love the shoots I absolutely love Turkey hunting! The best part was getting my S-I-L on his first Gobbler! It just doesn’t get any better!! I have a video of the hunt. Both Gobblers came out of the woods to our right about 50 yards and as soon as they saw the decoys they made a bee line for them. Unfortunately for them they had to cross right in front of us trying to get to the decoys!

Great pictures. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your success.

Nice going Brett. I know the feeling.

great job Brett.i have never had buck fever but calling in a spring gobbler would get my blood pumping

44whiskey wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2026 9:13 am great job Brett.i have never had buck fever but calling in a spring gobbler would get my blood pumping

Fred, when you call them in and they finally commit and get within range the blood is pumping and the nerves are on high alert!!!

That’s a great hunt with fond memories I’m sure. Congratulations for sure. I’m curious as to what loads you were using? Reloads or factory?

Dutch wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2026 9:08 pm That’s a great hunt with fond memories I’m sure. Congratulations for sure. I’m curious as to what loads you were using? Reloads or factory?

I was using a Fiocchi 1 1/4 oz # 5 - 2 3/4” shell. I bought two 10 shell boxes of these loads several years ago and wish I had bought more. I have also used RST Falcon 1 oz # 5 - 2 1/2” shells with good success as well. Brett

Brett,

How close were they for the shot?

DarylC wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2026 11:52 am Brett,

How close were they for the shot?

Both of them were about 20-22 yards. Relatively close shots.

Foxnut wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:01 pm

DarylC wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2026 11:52 am Brett,

How close were they for the shot?

Both of them were about 20-22 yards. Relatively close shots.

That's when it gets heart pumping good.