2010 Turkey Season

I have never had a top-of-the-line bow before and when the Hoyt Maxxis came out in 2010, I pretty much knew it was going to be my next bow. Vanderbilt's is our local pro shop and I was basically all-in with the Maxxis, the Hoyt quiver, and the Hoyt drop away rest. Turkey season was right around the corner and what better way to break in a new bow...and a new turkey decoy.

 A turkey decoy had been in the back of my mind since the beginning, but what kind of turkey decoy was the question. When the Heads Up Decoy Bow Mount materialized, it was designed with some really sinister thoughts of pronghorns at point-blank....and turkeys.

The original turkey decoy idea deviated from the integrity of the HUD's and it was time to rethink the turkey decoy concept and redirect. There were some sleepless nights, which isn't unusual for me given I am trying to get a new business off the ground. The first prototype deviated from my partial body concept, the second prototype was too expensive to sell, and the last prototype had one minor...well...major problem, "How to attach a real fan?"

Already into the turkey season, I was scrambling around trying to "rework" the decoy so I could actually get someone to purchase it in the future. I am not exactly sure how it came about, but the thought of cutting the center out of a strutting turkey and attaching a real fan seemed to be...well...doable. I cut out the center of my original prints and laid it on a fan I had and...bah-da-bing...bah-da-boom...there it was. It was go time. The Heads Up Tom Turkey Decoy was born and it was again, designed to be versatile.

My wife and I have 2 older children and 2 younger children and at the time, the youngest, Kori, was practically brand new. Turkey hunting time was limited at best, but one fine day I was able to accomplish what I set out to do with the HUD Tom Turkey. My goal was to smoke a tom with the decoy in the Bow Mount.

I was in the middle of a wide open pasture working a tom and hen when the tom had had enough of my presence. He left his hen and strutted right into me. I was hiding behind the decoy and fan inserted in the HUD Bow Mount. The tom strolled right in and I was able to easily draw my bow, settle, and...well...MISS! I buzzed the tom's head to the left with a Magnus Bullhead. The arrow flew true, but my aim was off. I had mixed emotions. I was totally STOKED that I was able to get a tom close enough to shoot with the decoy in the Bow Mount, but bummed that I missed when he was soooo close. I was trying to film myself and as the tom was approaching, I heard the camera die on me.

The next week found me picking just the right day to leave the day job early. I marinaded in Off bug spray and picked up prostaffer Justin Sherfick's Double Bull blind and camera. I nestled myself on the edge of an alfalfa field where we had seen turkeys spending the afternoon there on a daily basis. It wasn't long when activity began to pick up. Several hens came up and out of a small wooded draw and headed towards the creek to turn up cow pies. One lone tom later appeared and could not resist a look. He amble across the alfalfa field and strutted right into the decoy set. He was beautiful. Rio Grande tom turkeys are really beautiful birds.

I ranged the edge of the field where I assumed my shot would be. He strutted right in to that very spot eyeballing his competition. I settled my pin on his head and WHIFF! I gave the tom a reverse mohawk. I was utterly disappointed. I couldn't believe I missed again. Well, I did get some great footage.

The Heads Up Decoys are an exciting brand of decoys that are extremely effective and versatile. The Tom Turkey decoy is certainly one we will have loads of fun with. We look forward to the 2011 turkey season and hope to get some redemption. We wish everyone great success this turkey season and we hope the HUD's helps you. Please enjoy the footage by clicking the youtube link below.

2010 Turkey Hunt