Crazy Opening Day Turkey Mishap

[bushden]

Got out early yesterday and set up in one of my favorite spots, just getting lite I have gobbles coming from two different directions.  I made my first call and they opened up but then I heard yelps coming from just on the property line and knew I had another hunter competing for these birds. I did some lite calling and one of the birds was heading my way and he got behind me, and I continued  purrs  and he was almost on top of me and no shot unless he comes around. The other hunter shoots and bird gets spooky but stays in there, after a few minutes of silence he starts moving to my front and decides to mount one of my hen decoys. I did not want to shoot and risk pellets in the decoy so waited for him to realize he was not having his way with my decoy and I took the shot, bird goes right down and I got up to go tag and retrieve him. I needed to cut a section of rope to carry him and while I was cutting the rope I slipped and cut through my right hand middle finger to the bone. After going to my emergency bag and  stopping the bleeding (fingers bleed a lot)  I picked up my gear and the bird and went right to the ER.  After doc stitches me up I head home with tail between my legs and had to listen to wife give me a lecture about hunting alone. Any way now I have a bird to clean and only one good hand to get it done. My wife of 53 years for the first time helped me with the bird and we got it done. After it was all done I realized I did not take a picture. Any way the bird will provide turkey burgers for our summer barbecue and when I cook it I will post pictures of Denny's barbecue turkey burgers

Now I have to take a week off until hand heals and stitches come out before I go out next week.

Edited April 23 by bushden
Spelling

[joeyguts]

Congrats on the bird. I hope you heal quickly.

[Otter]

Congrats on the bird! The cut on the finger is not fun.  You will heal

[kohunter]

Wow! Congrats! That's worse than almost losing your gun!

[SPEARFISH]

Congrats!

I kept reading hoping you didn't get shot.

[Buckeyes11]

Congrats! Heal up soon!!!

[Recurve hntr]

Damn. Congrats on the bird. Sorry to hear about your hand. Hope you heal quick. 

[mazzgolf]

39 minutes ago, bushden said:

I needed to cut a section of rope to carry him

Ouch!

Here's a pro tip - buy one of those turkey "tote" straps made of paracord with metal rings. One of my best turkey gear purchases - makes carrying the bird out of the woods much easier. And you can use it to hang the bird when you get home (on a tree or wherever) and can be used to hang the bird onto the hook of a scale if measuring the weight. You can even get them with orange paracord so it stands out for safety as you walk out of the woods with it.

Plus, it's much cheaper than a visit to the ER  

For example: https://www.etsy.com/listing/513775551/turkey-totes

 

 

[Devil Horns]

Glad you are ok. Congrats on the turkey. My turkey vest has a big game pouch on the back. I stuff my turkey in the pouch and walk out with it. 

[bushden]

1 hour ago, SPEARFISH said:

Congrats!

I kept reading hoping you didn't get shot.

Getting shot would have been less of a blow to my ego! What a rookie mistake I made.

[ratherbhunting]

Congrats on the bird and I am glad you are ok. 

 

[Bonefreak]

Wow!!  Some story!!  Congrats and hope your finger heals quickly!!  What did the other guy shoot at?  Your bird…or the other one??

[Shootstraight]

Congrats on the bird and I am glad you are doing okay. Speedy recovery

 

SS!

[Fred Flintstone]

Congrats and a fast Recovery. 

[JD48]

Like they say, could have been worse, could have cut your Johnson off instead, congrats on the bird.

Edited April 23 by JD48