Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting Amazing opening day

Last spring it took me almost a month to fill my tag. Today about 30 minutes.
Talking to the landowner before the season opened he mentioned he had seen some turkeys in the old orchard below the house the last few days. So before dawn I snuck down there and positioned myself under a fir tree with a good view.
Did not hear much going on as sunrise was approaching I gave a few putts on my call and it sounded like a bunch of turkeys were behind me, all sorts of noise. A few seconds later it was raining turkeys fight in front of me!
They must of been roosting in a tree behind me. 2 hens landed within 8 feet of me. I could not move as they were starting my way. Counted 18 hens without moving my head! It was absolutely amazing.
The flock moved down the hill a little and I could move to see all the turkeys, all hens. Then off to my left a gobble, looked over and 25 yards away a Tom was in full strut. Killed him and it was like ducks taking off a pond, they were gone. It was 6:30am
Unbelievable and amazing, don’t think I’ll see that again.

Good deal!
I also tagged out on opening morning this year, though my season was substantially less than 1/2 hour as I killed my tom right at first light. I bought another tag but haven't put much effort into getting another bird yet.

Is that an eastern turkey? I know they have been transplanted to some areas of Idaho, Washington and maybe Oregon. I have shot two (suspected) full blooded easterns in Idaho and plenty of mutts.

"Did not hear much going on as sunrise was approaching I gave a few putts on my call" why would anyone do this???? Congrats anyway...

T_Inman, Merriam‘s, I think.

Sasha and Abby, I have done it at sunrise as it usually gets a shock gobble back and lets me know where to address my hunt. Seems to work for me. But I guess everyone has a different method. What is your proven method?

Those spurs and base tail feathers don't look like those of a Merriams to me, but the spurs don't totally look like those from an eastern. I have no experience with Rios so it may very well be one of those.

Doesn't matter. Nice bird regardless!

that's a good gobbler---nice hooks on him.

T_Inman,
maybe a Merriam/Rio cross? Here’s a link, if it works, (maybe copy and paste) to a site that tells how the turkeys were reintroduced to Oregon if your interested.


https://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/upland_bird/species/wild-turkey.asp

congrats on a great hunt

MUCHO CONGRATS !!!

Bird looks like a Rio/Eastern cross to me

As “putts” are a turkey warning or alarm call, I also wonder why you would do that. Purr, soft yelp, anything but a putt.

Maybe a putt is the wrong term, it’s just a noise that I make with my box call that I have heard them make. Usually gets an answer.
Only have been doing this for 5 years so I am still learning. But I am having some success. One can search and find some turkeys I have posted, here’s last spring and the year before. There is more if one cares to search the campfire

looks like a nice Beretta 390 or 391
I have had both and they shot great

Thanks pullit, it’s a 391. Have had it for over 20 years now, put black electrical tape over the bright spots when hunting ducks or turkeys, then take it off for pictures because it looks good. 😁

I shot mine in competition and loved them. I got custom wood for them from Cole Guns.
Don't see many really nice guns like that in the turkey woods.
Good idea on the tape.

Coles has some amazing wood sets for Beretta’s, but like most things they have gotten quite expensive. Your shotgun must be a looker for sure.
I have used mine for sporting clays and trap as well as everything from doves to turkeys. It is an amazing shotgun. Shoots all loads well and has never failed me. Even my light trap 1oz reloads work in it.
I use my Browning Citori for most bird hunting, but the 391 is so soft shooting that it is a pleasure to hunt with, but kind of heavy.

I sold both mine as I shot a K80 for most comp work and could never get use to the trigger difference between the autos and my K80s. Sent them to Rob Roberts as he told me that he could make my Beretta triggers equal to my K80s trigger.
Not so. better than factory but not like a K80 so I finally sold both.

Congratulations on a fine Tom! Looks like a Rio bird to me.
Nice shooting iron too!! 👍

Nice birds and sounds like a fun hunt!

I’m guessing “cluck” would be a more accurate term. I’ve heard lots of guys that aren’t diehard turkey hunters use the term cluck, and putt, interchangeably. Regardless, it’s obviously working for you. Congrats!