My 17yo has been in hot pursuit of birds for the last two weeks. He's come soooo close on multiple occasions, but failed to connect for various reasons. I kept offering to go with him and assist, but it was clear to me he was bound and determined to do it on his own.

He called me this morning at 7:30 and was jabbering like a monkey as soon as I picked up. He'd killed his biggest bird ever, as the beard measured just over 10". That's a damn fine bird by Idaho standards. He said he rolled him at 30 yards with the first shot, but the bird had kicked himself precariously to the river's edge and in fear he'd flop in the river and float away, Rowdy gave him a follow-up shot to anchor him. The fan was mangled accordingly, and the wet grass didn't help much either...but he was still as proud as could be.

The truth is, I think I was even more proud of him. This is the second year in a row he's killed a bird without me. I love that he's taken what little I've shown him and made it into his own passion. I also love that the message of "hard work pays off" was reinforced for him. He's been getting up at 4:30 every other day for a couple of weeks now, so it was awesome to see it all come together for him.

Forgive a proud father for bragging a little too much. Here he is with his bird and his buddy...

Awesome! Congratulations great bird!

Nice work brother Dave

Right on Dave! Rowdy is quite the hunter! You've done well, and so has he.

Great job Rowdy! You can never brag on him too much.

Way to go!

Way to go, Rowdy!

Good job Dad!

Score! 10 inch beard is a hell of an Idaho bird. How were the spurs?

Out of 30+ toms I have killed in ID and MT, I have killed one with a 9 inch beard, and a whole lot of 8-8 1/2 inchers. Never even close to a 10 incher. Hell of a good job.

Excellent!!

Nice!!

Congrats!!!!!!!!

Seeing this thread and pictures is why I glad we're all working hard to be conservationists. Great story

Congrats !! You have a lot to be proud of !

Congrats to the boy! That is a helluva bird!

Way to go on raising a great hunter as well Dad!

Damn fine bird there!!

Good on Rowdy!!

Awesome! I love seeing threads like this! Great bird

Great to see, congrats!

Mighty Fine!

ya!

GWB

Nice job Rowdy! (and brag away pop)

That boy has had some proper training...nice work!

Very cool, and congrats

Nice work Rowdy!! Way to keep at it kid..

Way 2 go!

Pass along a congrats to him !

Nice smile!

Congrats Rowdy!

😎

Worthy of a brag Dave....congrats to Rowdy.

Dave, Congrats to your son - he certainly seems to have the hunting thing dialed in! Guessing growing up he paid attention when hunting with dad

Iddave: No forgiveness needed - you have done a fine job there - all around.
And thanks for sharing.
Be sure and send along my congratulations to your son on that trophy Wild Turkey.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
P.S.: Great pictures by the way to who ever took'em - even the rain on the canopy door window tells a story to me.