doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 2026 Hunting Thread

So who is out chasing gobblers?

Just scouting right now, VA season opens April 11. Our turkey numbers are down somewhat compared to 5-6 years ago but the ones we have are feeling frisky.

it ain't braggin' to post your photo, Keith...

I need to figure that out. Our youth hunt was amazing!

Keith, fill in the details. Your hunt; your bird:

It was a nice cool morning in South Georgia. I set up in an area where a creek turns into black lake, back into a creek and flows out into the river. Full moon morning so I got there early. At 6:40am the birds started hammering. One loud fly down with my glass call and hollow carbon striker had 3 toms answering. Then I found out I wasn't alone. The neighbor crossed the creek as well to me with what I think was his first day using a yelper and shake gobble call. I hit it again and the birds where now on the ground and headed my way. I stayed quiet! Suddenly 20 yards behind me a gobble erupted and 2 toms ran past me into an opening. The toughest of the two burst into a full strut and slow rolled around a tree. As soon as he went around a tree and I could not see his eyes I lifted my gifted single barrel trap Ithaca 4e to wait on him to round. Just like a tv show he rounded the tree right into the bead of my shotgun. I pulled the trigger and slammed his head down at 20 yards. A 2 3/4 shell full of 5's is still my favorite! All done to admire my bird, the wild lilies and azaleas blooming all by 7am. Fantastic 18 pound bird with a 10 inch beard and a singular 1 inch spur. I will back at it tomorrow! Good luck fellas! The turkey and rice made from the cooked down legs and thighs was very good. Maybe dumplings tomorrow if all goes well

Sad that no one else is hunting

I have killed 3 in AL, but they all looked about the same. Here's the latest one:



We have a 4 bird limit, but the gobbling seems to be about over in my area so I am likely done for the year. I used to travel out of state a lot, but I've gotten too old for that and just hunt nearby now.

Steve, nice bird and season for you. Here's my first, today. I've been in the birds; passed on an "iffy" shot at 25 yards two weeks ago, and have been dealing with henned-up birds. This one made up for those.
Thirty yards. Gil

Good job by all!

Gil, glad you connected this am!

Looks like a classic spring turkey thread—always good to see folks getting out and sharing their hunts. That early morning setup and birds gobbling right at fly-down is about as good as it gets. Sounds like a textbook hunt, especially working them in close and making the shot count at 20 yards.

Also interesting to hear how different areas are doing—some guys mentioning lower bird numbers, while others are still having solid seasons. That seems pretty consistent with what a lot of hunters are seeing lately.

Congrats to everyone posting birds. Always enjoy reading these stories—beats sitting at work wishing you were in the woods.

Awesome job Coosa!

Looking back at the past 50 seasons, I don't recall ever killing a turkey while sitting at work behind a desk. Gil

It’s not so much the lack of hunting as the lack of picture taking. I’m starting to get the feeling the birds are mocking me.

https://i.imgur.com/HbBgbe3.jpeg

That’s an interesting piece. It is great to see people talking about and appreciating these. Older guns or made guns have a certain charm. When you learn about their history and how they were used they seem more special. You have an example there. If you can please share details or your experience, with it at the range. I would love to hear how it performs not how it looks or what people say about it.