By Glen Wunderlich
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)
It’s been a few years since I was inclined to play hide and seek with the wild turkeys; it’s not that we don’t have ‘em. In fact, the very number of them has been my personal issue: It just wouldn’t seem much like hunting because they’ve become so prevalent.
Heck, back in the ‘70s I camped out in Montmorency County all alone and on my toes by 4am. Never got a bird. I did take a shot at a tom with a Spanish made side-by-side double barrel shotgun but didn’t connect. Sure was a thrill, though.
Years had passed when near the home front in Shiawassee County, I spotted an irregular figure far off on a piece of agricultural land and did a double-take. I couldn’t make it out but I already had it in my mind that it was a turkey. A quick trip home to get my binocular to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. Dang turkey, sure enough!
Since then, the birds have been doing what birds (and bees) always do. So, now we have our good ol’ days, thanks to the efforts of sportsmen and women. Although the experiences from 50 years ago are gone, I have new reason to get back in the blind: a great grandson, who has obtained his Hunter Safety certificate and expressed an interest in turkey hunting. Let’s do this.
While back in the day we used stout loads of 5 or 6-shot from large, shoulder-bruising 12-gauge shotguns, it’s no longer a necessary form of punishment on both ends of a smoothbore. Enter the .410 bore shotgun – a new favorite of hunters of all ages and sizes. How is this possible? It’s the TSS ammo.
I’ve got two 10-round boxes on the way and both are among the Apex line in 9 ½ shot size. Yes, the cost is an astronomical $8 per pop, but with a bit of resourcefulness and judicious use, smart practice can minimize the expense. Simply sight in with some less expensive ammo first and get the adjustments refined before switching to the TSS fodder.
Like it or not, I don’t have a modern .410 bore shotgun that’s worth a hoot. After purchasing a cheap Landor model .410, I wish I hadn’t bit that bullet. The trigger is the worst ever! In fact, it’s so stiff, my great grandson had to strain to get it to fire and that doesn’t make for good shooting. Enter an old favorite of mine: a 70 year-old J.C. Higgins model 101.25 (made by Stevens) bolt action smoothbore with a fixed-full choke. I was concerned about bore damage, but after conferring with the folks at Apex Ammunition, the word was to “shoot it.” So, here we go.
I’ll make sure to post results on this site (www.thinkingafield) and on my YouTube channel at Glen Wunderlich as soon as we get some fair weather here in Mid-Michigan.
