Truxton, New York, USA, Saturday, October 30th, 2010-
– A New York record book gobbler was harvested by Jenifer Zolla of Truxton, New York, during the Annual Women In The Outdoors (WITO) hosted by the Cortland Limb Hangers NWTF Chapter & Rolling Ridges Guides & Outfitters. Jen’…s gobbler sported 1-3/8” & 1-1/4” spurs, swung a 9-15/16” beard, and weighed an even 19lbs. The gobbler scored 65.1250 as a typical bird using the NWTF scoring system. Jen’s bird ties for #5 typical harvest by a female hunter in New York.
Saturday morning hunt began with Jen accompanied by Bret Eccleston (current NWTF New York State chapter president, Owner of Rolling Ridges), and Mike Joyner (past NWTF New York State chapter president, Outdoor Writer & author). After a uneventful first set up, a group of gobblers (8) were spotted along a field edge bordering a creek. The gobblers were fighting and strutting, and carrying on as they might in the spring before season. Another small group of five hens and juveniles stood back 20-30 yards watching the show. A plan was made to make a big loop and come up thru a small stand of pines to gain position on the two flocks. While executing the plan, a third flock had already moved up into the pines and spotted the approaching huntress with guides in tow. A few kee-kees from Mike stopped a few of the retreating birds (out of range), but only temporarily. The third flock ran back away from the field and did so without alarming the other two flocks. A lucky break!
Continuing on, Bret & Mike got Jen up to where she needed to be, and the flock of gobblers were spotted still fighting and chasing each other out in the field. After what seemed to be very long few minutes, the gobblers closed to within range. Jen acquired target lock on the big boy (beard was swinging as he walked), and dropped the hammer. Mike then made a pro guide move. While reacting in a lightning fast dead run to reach the downed gobbler, ran straight into a barbed wire fence. After extending the fence 4-5ft, Mike was reacquainted with the laws of physics and abruptly returned to original point of contact. Jen (much smarter) decided to go over the fence and reached the gobbler first. Mike and Bret made it there shortly after once Mike was unfasten from the fence. A little humor for the event.
Once the team regrouped it was learned what a huge gobbler Jen had harvested. A dandy bird for spring or fall season! Jen had filled her first tag the day prior with guide Jeff Sayre, and was now tagged out for the season. A big congrats to Jen for her successful outing.
Each fall season the Cortland Limb Hangers NWTF Chapter and Rolling Ridges Guides & Outfitting service host the annual WITO event providing opportunities for women to try fall turkey, bow hunting, goose, pheasant and small game hunting. The event is conducted with a family atmosphere of good food, good friends, and guides throughout the weekend.
For information on 2011 event contact Trish or Bret on the following facebook links:
http://www.facebook.com/trish.kelsey?ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001617934527&ref=mf
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totally agree with trying to cook these guys they can be quite tough!! but if i had to find a way to learn how to cook them, it def would be maetsr chef steve tower he can make a greasy bear taste un real ,,the best meal of wild game i have ever had was caribou steaks!!