05/10/2026
After flying home the other night from a business trip to Montreal, I had just enough time to grab my gear and get a couple hours of sleep before leaving the house at 3:30am to try to notch my 2026 Manitoba Wild Turkey tag.
As the morning started slow, I looked to reposition. But soon struck up a Gobbler some distance behind me.
Ditching the decoys from my earlier setup, I quickly moved in to close the distance, finding a hide amongst the thick brush within a shade of trees.
Followed by some soft coaxing on the call.
Then I heard it… One of the most peculiar sounds in the woods. That low frequency baritone drum of a strutting Wild Turkey.
He was close!
As far as drumming goes, he was rippin’. Spitting & Drumming repeatedly - louder and closer each time.
Then I saw him. His head through the thickets. Full Strut, fired up, working his way along.
As quick as I saw him, I had only seconds until he crossed into one of the only openings between the cover.
A couple more steps… Locked on target.
At 45 yards, the #9 TSS from my Franchi Affinity 20ga. met its mark… and my 2026 Manitoba Turkey season was done.
…The way I love doing it most - Strike a bird, close the distance, work him within range.
No decoys, no fuss.
A beautiful Merriam’s Tom, tipping the scale at 23 1/2 lbs.
I’m truly grateful to have the opportunity to hunt these amazing birds here in Manitoba.
In one of my favourite areas of the province to be.
With the limited time I had to hunt this Spring, even if I hadn’t filled my tag, it was already a success.
My son Aidan getting his first Turkey during the youth season was all I hoped for.
But the time spent in the woods, watching nature awake in the morning and hearing and engaging with these birds is worth it enough for me.
That said, buttermilk brined & seasoned turkey breast nuggets or turkey legs in the slow cooker are pretty tough to beat!
