Turkey Hunt

I really enjoy the sport of hunting.  It combines some of my favorite things, the outdoors, shooting, and hanging out with friends and family.  I recently got my first turkey and I thought that I would share the experience with all of my readers.

While I was out on my turkey hunt, I thought about how airsoft had helped me to fine tune the skills I was using to successfully stalk and shoot my turkey.  Airsoft really did apply to a life experience!  My turkey hunt and other situations have shown me the benefits of airsoft and how I can better apply it.  I want to show you how you can apply it too.

I started out the hunt by locating the turkeys.  They were at a feeder about 75 yards away.  I analyzed the situation (battle plan) and started to make an loop (outflanking maneuver) that would keep me out of their line of sight (stealth).

The turkeys started to move to the north and I quickly changed (adapted to the enemy) the plan to meet the changing situation.  While keeping out of sight I moved forward to a clump of pines directly north of my position.

I got a visual on the turkeys and spotted four of them (intelligence in the field).  I knelt and got a sight picture although I was slightly out of range.

The turkeys continued north and I lost a visual on them.  I decided to loop back around and come in at a different angle to avoid detection.  I then quickly crossed an open area and advanced along the tree line while crouched (low profile).

I then crawled a short distance through the grass (stealth) while trying to determine what the turkeys would do next (staying one step ahead).  I then popped back up and advanced.

I sighted the turkeys as I came around the corner of the trees.  All four of them were in a line.  I didn’t have time to get in a better shooting position (like prone or kneeling) so I sighted in on them while standing.  I put the bead on the first turkey, but it ducked its head, so I quickly switched to the second.  I pulled the trigger.  One shot later I had my turkey!

Airsofting skills apply to life, so practice hard, battle harder, and translate those skills into situations that come up in your life.