Your first bird

[Levee Jumper]

1997, I was 11 years old on public ground near the Mississippi River. I was on one side of a ditch dump and the gobbler was on the other side at about 3 yards. I could just see the top of his head and my father said wait, I didn't and let his old 30" full Wingmaster eat. Fortunately the turkey went to flopping. I'm not sure we ever found a pellet in the turkeys head.... he may have died from shock.

 

[wkyhunter]

1980... TN portion of LBL, I was 17. The KY side had been restocked and only hunting was by draw for area below 68. I had botched a lot of opportunities with my Dad calling for me starting when I was 10. Dad had killed his on the KY side that year and was hunting with my granddaddy.
I was hunting by myself walking and calling. Got him gobbling in a hollow way up in the morning. He came on up and popped that red head over the ridge. It was a jake, but I wouldn't have been any prouder.
Tom Kelly has it right .... It's an Sickness and only we understand!!