Name:Ryan Hamerlinck(MMK Prostaff) Date of Kill:4/30/2012 Time of Kill:6:35am State:Illinois Location Details: Private Farm Kill Type: Turkey
I was lucky enough to draw a 3rd season Illinois spring turkey tag for the 2012
season. I took two weeks vacation so I could hunt the whole season if needed.
Opening day for me was sunny and fairly cold for april. I had some gobbles often
and early but sounded like it was way off in the distance, then around 615am two
toms came out and went to check a lone hen so after 3 hours off no action I picked
up my double bull blind and moved it closer towards where the birds came out of
the timber.Monday morning was foggy and warm. Walking to the blind I had very little
confidence I would see any birds on such a nasty morning. As I was climbing in my
blind I could hear two toms goobling like crazy fairly close to me and could hear
a few others across the road. They flew off the roost around 600am and didnt gobble
much after that then I heard a gobble soI turned and looked to the north and here stood
two toms. I made a couple of calls to make sure they saw my decoys and here they come
running. They closed the gap to about 15 yards and I took the first good shot.
For the record it was probably 22 lbs with a 10.5 inch beard and 1 1/8th spurs.
Name:Nathan Davis Age: 32 Date of Kill:11-11-11 Time of Kill: 1:30 p.m State:Illinois County: Bond Location Details: Private ground Kill Type: Whitetail
Well guys, I got rained out at work, so I came home. Just so happens, It was my womans birthday. I asked her nicely if I could go out hunting? She said it was fine as long as I killed a big one. So I took advantage of the situation. When it’s rainy and windy I put the stalk down! So I start my stalk face in the wind, kick up 3 doe, as they take off I see big boy turn his head as the doe run by him. So now im in the creep mode. Everytime the wind would start to blow hard, I would take a few steps towards him. I get 20 yards from him and whistle at him, he starts to look around while laying down. So now I start to freak out thinking he’s going to run. I got everything running through my head, so now I got to make it happen. I draw back, say get up, say it again, finally the third time I said it, he stood up giving me a perfect broadside shot. I smoked him! He ran 45 yards and dropped. I instantly called the little woman to tell her the good news. All I can say, is if it’s raining and windy get down wind and go for it. I also want to say thank u Mathews and to Spitfire broadheads for getting the job done. See ya next season big horn!
Name: Joel Grafton
Age: 52
Date of Kill: 11-25-11
State: Illinois
Kill Type: Whitetail
Took this nice 8 pointer with my Mission Venture after he came in to investigate 4 smaller bucks chasing does and sparring in standing corn.He went into the corn and cleaned house had small bucks and does running all around me.He came out and I grunted him in and stopped him at 25 yds.Complete pass through double lung he went about 150 yds.I’ll say it again I love my Mission Venture!I have harvested over 300 inches of bone in 2 bucks after being away from bow hunting for 30 yrs.I can’t wait till next season.
Name:Joel Grafton Age: 52 Date of Kill:10/17/11 Time: 8:14 am State:Illinois Kill Type: whitetail
Just got back into bow hunting after 30 yrs absence. Purchased a Mission Venture from my local bow shop last July,have been shooting it daily practicing for the Oct 1st archery season.Shot a big doe opening morning at 35 yds.Then the hunt was on for a big buck,after passing several bucks up this one walked by at 8:14 Oct. 17, 2011. I took him at 44 yds with my Mission Venture.Buck went 20 yds and crashed.I love my Mission Bow!!!
Name: Ryan Hamerlinck Date of Kill:04/23/2011 Time of Kill: 700am State:Illinois Location Details: edge of cornfield surrounded by timber Kill Type:Turkey
Got to the blind this morning around 545am and got settled in for the morning hunt.
Around 6am we heard some gobbles way over on the neighbors farm, to far for us to
call in. Finally around 615am we saw some turkeys coming out of the timber. 5 Jakes
and a hen finally saw our decoy setup and came in to investigate which ended up
drawing in the only bird that was strutting. He came in on a string and ran off the
jakes and then turned to check out the hen and gave me a 35 yard shot that I
connected on perfectly, he went straight down. Its a good thing to because my gun
broke and could not load another shell. My turkey had a 10in beard and 3/4″ spurs
and weighed about 20lbs not the biggest but my first and I dont care.
It was an awesome hunt and we got it all on video plus it was on my dad’s birthday,
something i will never forget.A special thanks to my camera man and caller Dave, and
to the landowner who lets me hunt her farm… Thank You
