Skip to content

The other day at work, some of the guys were talking about points vs. putting in for a draw. It occurred to me that while I still bank Elk points every year, I took a random shot at fall turkey and actually drew an “Any Turkey” tag. The tag is in a unit where I had hunted cow elk before, so I knew the land well. I knew exactly where I was going to camp, and I knew exactly where I was going to hunt.

My excitement level for this hunt was at a 10/10. I was not expecting to draw whatsoever and this was my first time with a shotgun tag. The weapon of choice was a very old, inherited, Browning A5 16ga. Using this shotgun just felt right to me.

The shop expert on Turkey Hunting is Bryce, so I annoyed him everyday leading up to the hunt with questions. If you haven’t met Bryce yet, he is quite possibly the nicest person you will meet. With some of the knowledge from Bryce, I headed out to chase gobblers expecting some amazing weather in the Arizona high country.

The truck had all the camping essentials, this was not a backpacking hunt. I was plenty comfortable, which made this hunt more memorable. I had some family tag along and they actually sat on a tank with me one morning. I had a whole week up there so why not. 

Day 2 was the interesting part.

After sitting tanks and putting some miles in, I was back at camp for lunch eating a burger and enjoying the sights with my family. I was passing around my bino’s, when I looked up I saw a flock of Turkey no more than 75 yards from camp. My greasy smashburger went flying, I booked it to my truck to get my essentials. While keeping an eye on the flock, I put on my bino harness, made sure the range finder was good to go, sent the bolt forward on the “Sweet Sixteen” and booked it to cut the flock off.

Turns out, high-top vans make for great stalking shoes.

I was able to make it on top of a hill directly north from my camp and cut the flock almost in half. They had made their way over onto the east side but were coming back over on the west side, the way they came. Given that hill and rock croppings were so steep, only the top half of my body was exposed. I watched what seemed like a handful cross right in front of me. I shouldered the shotgun, took the safety off and waited. A Tom stopped right where my bead was planted. I let the shotgun do its job. The sound of the shot bounced off the hills, and soon all I heard was flapping. I saw my turkey rolling around in some ferns and soon he went silent.

I thanked the Tom, admired his beard, and inspected the shot. Clean kill, no meat damage. I walked the mere 50 yards back to camp, with my Turkey draped across my back. Things happened so quickly, that I just had to crack a beer. Reminiscing about the short hunt with my familly while texting my friends about the success, it occurred to me that this was, by far the funnest hunt I have been on in my life, a hunt I drew on whim.

It may never happen again, but I will without a doubt shoot my shot again.

 

Comments

Erin Gorski - January 14, 2025

Great article! I felt the fun and excitement of the hunt. Thanks for highlighting this hunt and hunter.

Leave a comment

* Required fields

Net Orders Checkout

Item Price Qty Total
Subtotal $0.00
Shipping
Total

Shipping Address

Shipping Methods