Me and my Father were drawn for a turkey hunt at Matador WMA. Man did we have a fun trip. These public hunts are pretty tuff. First you have to pic a pasture out,then you always second guess yourself. Then you have to try to locate some birds in your pasture. Next you have to try to figure where they go to feed and roost and try to get in their travel route and call them into shot gun range. The first afternoon we checked out our pasture and put up a game plan. We set up the decoys and did a little calling. Before long we called in a hen. Then we were able to call in two gobblers. Me and my Dad were sitting a ways apart. He could see them coming in,but I could not. Finally i seen them,and they were in range. I was motioning for my dad to get ready to shoot. I brought my gun to shoulder,and looked at him. Now he could not see them. I could have shot,but i was hoping we could get a double. The gobblers finally picked up my movement and got the heck out of there. It was exciting,gave us high hopes for the morning. The next morning we set up in a different area and the gobblers were answering our calls. This time we were sitting side by side behind a mesquite with the decoys in front of us and to the right.My dad was sitting on my left side and he was doing all the calling. They were gobbling like crazy.Finally we saw two of them coming our way. My dad was calling them in and they were putting on a show. They were coming strait at us,instead of the decoys. They were strutting,and spitting and drumming.We needed them to angle to the right to get a shot.When my dad started calling,he leaned his gun up on the mesquite branch in front of him. Wouldn't you know it,they came right in and walked around his side of the bush not ten yards from him. He could not shoot because his gun was leaned up on the bush,and I could not shoot because he was between me and them. They had a brief stare off,then they took off. Another close call. After that set up the wind began to blow like crazy. Our plans for that after noon were to set up in a wide fairly open draw,to get out of the wind,and so we would have good visibility. This time we learned from our mistakes. We sat close to each other,but we sat in front of the brush instead of behind it. We began to call with no answers. Later on my Dad saw a turkey cross the draw about 300 yards away. We could not tell if it was a gobbler,but we began calling. Shortly the gobbler was answering us,and we could tell he was getting closer. Finally we saw him! Man was he pretty. He walked down into the draw and began strutting our way from about 100 yards out. Man was he putting on a show. My dad said he wanted me to shoot him if he came in range. He came closer and closer and my heart was pounding. He went behind a small clump of weeds about 40 yards away. I shouldered my gun and was ready. My dad made another call,the turkey raised his head. My dad said shoot him,and i did not hesitate. He dropped at the shot and began to flop around. He then got his composure back and began to try to half run,and half fly away. I knew he was hurt bad,but i did not want to loose him. I shot again,and finished him off. Man what an exciting hunt! We were all pumped up! I just dont think there is anything better in this world than spending time with family in the great outdoors either hunting or fishing! Sorry for the long read.

Here is a pic of me and my Father with the turkey I shot. I feel we both got him!

You DID both get him. I have done that with my son and I guarantee it was as good for me as it was for him. Unforgettable.

Congrats on a good hunt

nice!!

Great turkey & story! Congrats!

Good deal. The Turkeys are looking pretty good around here lately

Great memories and great turkeys!

Outstanding job and glad you got share that with your dad. Cool pics

That's a memory that will last a lifetime there man!! Congrats on a GREAT Bird!!

Congrats to you both!!

Way to cool!!!

Love the story. That will be a great memory for you both. Congrats.

Nice

Very nice. I love that place.

Sweet hunt and great memories congrats

Congrats! Nice hunt and thanks for the story...

thanks guys. we had a great time.

Great job.

congrats