Gobbler getters

Carolina hunters killed plenty of spring turkeys

The 2025 turkey hunting season was a big success for many Carolina turkey hunters. Lots of “first turkeys” were killed, by young hunters and adults alike. Lots of trophy-sized turkeys also fell to Carolina turkey hunters, as well as some with various color phases, some with multiple beards, and some with double spurs.

One thing we always love to see is the multi-generational turkey hunts, where a grandparent, parent, and son or daughter hunt together, and one scores their first turkey. Or they double up, or even triple up.

Jenna Collins

Jenna Collins was one that stands out from this past season, and is summed up nicely by her dad, James Collins.

“I have been on Cloud Nine all day!” said the young hunter’s dad. “My youngest daughter dropped the hammer this morning, and scored her first harvest. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be in the woods with my daugher, and proud of her performance.”

He goes on to tell the story of the hunt:

“Our day started with a 4 a.m. wake up, and a little over an hour of windshield time. She was so excited that she didn’t fall back asleep. Dear friend Travis Tucker allowed us to hunt with him in Nash County (NC).

“We bundled up and jumped in the blind before the gobblers hit the field. For the record, I have never harvested a turkey myself. I took the time before the season to educate myself a bit more on calling. And I had great mentorship from Travis and James Kearney and Bub Jackson Hunting Preserve.

“Back to the blind. Jenna was extremely excited, but she’s only 7-years-old. I had her preoccupied with an iPad while I set everything up. I had a set of decoys about 20 yards in front of us, and her Mossberg set up on a tripod. I pulled out my slate call and the free box call that Jenna made at the Raleigh Dixie Deer Classic.

“I was talking to the birds, and they were fired up! I received a text that there was a hen working her way towards me from the west side of the field. I never saw her, but it was exciting nonetheless.

“As I scanned the open field, I noticed a gobbler on full display about 125 yards from my position. I immediately tapped Jenna to get her attention, but she was not able to see him. I proceeded to call until a hen ran across the field in between me and the gobbler.

“I thought this would be the end of my chance to get Jenna a bird, but a quick text exchange with Travis encouraged me to stick with it. He always says ‘patience kills birds!’ That day, I learned that for myself.

“Four minutes later, this tom is almost directly in front of me. I got Jenna off of the iPad and behind the gun. She lined up a perfect shot and laid the smack down. The Apex Ninja shotgun shell worked perfectly!

“Thank you again to Samuel Graham and the team from Eagle One for helping me source the Mossberg .410 shotgun back in February.”

Colton Raynor

Six-year-old Colton Raynor killed his first turkey while hunting with his dad, Keith Raynor, and his granddad, Randy Raynor in Sampson County, NC.

“This was an awesome hunt, and the bird had a 12 1/4-inch beard and 1 1/4-inch spurs,” said Keith Raynor. “Colton shot it at 40 yards with a Stevens 301 .410 and Verdict ammunition. We made some great memories.

Jacy Cockman

Jacy Cockman, 11-years-old, killed a 22-pound, 11-ounce gobbler in Guilford County, NC.

The young hunter was entered in the NC Pirate Classic Youth Hunt, and finished in 6th place with a total score of 74.3125.

Cockman’s bird had an 113/4-inch beard, and spurs that measured 1.374 inches (left spur) and 1.4375 inches (right spur).

Along with the rest of the top-10 finishers in the contest, Cockman won a free lifetime hunting license for North Carolina.

Daniel Maness

A 21-pound turkey is seen as a trophy by most hunters, but that wasn’t the most impressive statistic about the gobbler killed in Chatham County, NC by Daniel Maness. And while a long beard and long spurs are other traits that can push a gobbler into trophy status, this one had a set of double spurs.

“The beard was 101/4 inches long, and it had double spurs. The spurs measured 13/8 inches, and the second spurs were 5/8-inch long.

Landon Belcher

Multi-bearded turkeys always draw some attention and raise eyebrows, and Landon Belcher’s did just that. His Forsyth County, NC gobbler had a total of five beards.

Heather Pearson

Heather Pearson ended a 10-year drought when she killed a gobbler in Dillon County, SC.

Pearson shot the bird with a Winchester SXP and 3-inch TSS No. 9 shot. She was using a custom pink glass pot call with beaver tail mounted under the glass.

She also enjoys trapping, and catches her share of beavers. Using the beaver tail as part of her turkey call has allowed her to combine two of her favorite outdoor activities.