Headed back out Saturday morning...

[Nathan]

My buddy and I will be hitting the woods again on Saturday. This time I'm determined to bring a gobbler home. I've had a couple of chances already this spring but left empty handed.

The first opportunity came when my buddy called a big tom to within about 25 yards. We were on the edge of a laurel thicket and when I shifted my body weight to get a better sight picture, the dang bird saw me and spooked. I felt pretty bad about that one.

The second one was a bad deal. We were on private property and were of the understanding that the land owner had given us exclusive use of the property. Well, I guess not. We were calling in a gobbler, and he was coming to us, when another hunter got between us and the bird and took the shot. He wasn't calling birds all morning. I don't know what he was doing out there but it didn't involve turkey calls. He must have heard us calling, heard the gobbler respond, got between us and waited.

Anyway, I'm just glad I get another chance this weekend. I patterned my Mossberg 835 with a new Undertaker choke and some 3" Winchester Supreme HV #6 loads yesterday and am very, very pleased with the pattern at 35 yards. 30+ pellets in the kill zone on a turkey head target. Definitely better performance than the stock Mossberg turkey choke.

[allingeneral]

The second one was a bad deal. We were on private property and were of the understanding that the land owner had given us exclusive use of the property. Well, I guess not. We were calling in a gobbler, and he was coming to us, when another hunter got between us and the bird and took the shot. He wasn't calling birds all morning. I don't know what he was doing out there but it didn't involve turkey calls. He must have heard us calling, heard the gobbler respond, got between us and waited.

WTF? Did you discuss it with him?

[Bob]

Good luck to you Nathan. I hope you get one.

Do you like that Mossberg, I've been looking at them, will that 835 shoot the 3 1/2 shell.

I'm thinking about up grading I've had a number of birds hang up just out of range for me this year.
I'm still using 2 3/4 so I have to get them close, time for a new turkey gun.

At what range do you think you can kill one with that mossberg.

Rick their are some slob hunters out there everybody runs into them sooner or later.

[Nathan]

WTF? Did you discuss it with him?

Didn't really get a chance. We were so stunned we just sat there for a few minutes. He was about 50 yards away through thick brush and by the time we got over there he was gone with the bird. We weren't pleased.

[Nathan]

Good luck to you Nathan. I hope you get one.

Do you like that Mossberg, I've been looking at them, will that 835 shoot the 3 1/2 shell.

I'm thinking about up grading I've had a number of birds hang up just out of range for me this year.
I'm still using 2 3/4 so I have to get them close, time for a new turkey gun.

At what range do you think you can kill one with that mossberg.

Rick their are some slob hunters out there everybody runs into them sooner or later.

Thanks Bob. I love the 835. Yes, it shoots the 3.5" shells but I stick with the 3". Patterning 3.5" loads out of the 835 is a brutal experience. With the 3" loads and the Undertaker choke I'd feel pretty comfortable taking any shot inside of 40-45 yards. Probably a bit further with the 3.5".

All in all, it's a great gun. It's light, durable, and reliable. Mine is Mossy Oak New Break Up and my buddy's is Realtree Hardwoods. Both patterns look good on the gun. I like that the fact that I can beat it up in the brush and not give it a second thought.

Oh, it's also pretty darn inexpensive too. I paid $307 + tax for mine at Wal-Mart about two months ago.

[Vahunter]

I had a 835 and I know what you mean about recoil being brutal. I have a 935 now and it's not even half as bad as the 835 was even when shooting roman candles as my buddy calls them from it.

[Hiwaytahell]

Good luck Nathan... don't forget to post pics if you get one.

[Nathan]

Good luck Nathan... don't forget to post pics if you get one.

Thanks Bruce. I'll be sure to post some pics if I get a bird. For that matter, I'll be so happy that anyone within reasonable driving distance will be welcome to come for a turkey BBQ!

[Nathan]

Well, my buddy and I went out again Saturday morning. We got in to the woods around 6:15AM and hiked in about a mile. We set up by a fire road and got comfortable. He started calling with no responses at all. After about 30 minutes we were about to give up on that spot and move further up the mountain.

Right as we were about to get up, two jakes appeared out of nowhere right in the middle of the fire road. I didn't have a shot but my buddy was quick to react and got the closest jake. So, at least I know I'm not a jinx!

We went further up the mountain and were able to call in another bird, this one a pretty big guy, probably 22-25lbs. Dang bird got hung up about 50 yards out and wouldn't come in any closer. I had a great line of sight and would have taken him no problem if he had just come in another 10 yards or so and cleared some brush he was lingering around.

As we were walking out to get his bird home and cleaned, we almost walked right on top of another jake. He spooked and flew off down the hollow. No shot to be had. So, I didn't any birds this spring but, as always, simply enjoyed being in the woods with a friend and enjoying nature. Won't get a chance to go again before the season is out next weekend; I'll just have to look forward to deer season and fall turkey season.

Here's his jake - 17lbs:

[Bob]

Sorry you can't hunt anymore this season Nathan, at least you had some action. I've had a number of birds hang up like that for me this year, you just never know about these gobblers.

I went to Pennsylvania for four days of hunting and killed a bird the second day no problem, I called a few times and in he came. I've been hunting hard here in Virginia since the season opened and finally got a bird today after some real tough hunting.

You are only allowed one bird in Pennsylvania if you want a second one you have to buy another tag. Her in Va. I killed one in the fall and got my second today so i'm taking the day off tomorrow, I'll finish off the season the last three days, I'd like to get one more.