Success In The Field

Took this turkey hen yesterday while we were out checking on our cattle. Had my S&W 657-5 on the seat of the pickup just in case we saw some pigs, but found a group of turkeys instead. Either sex is legal for our fall season and the use of pretty much any firearm as well, with the spring season limited to gobblers or bearded hens and shotguns only. It was a broadside shot and it went below the spine and just barely damaged the edge of the breast only wasting about a tablespoon of meat. The load is a 210 grain Federal Fusion pushed by 20.5 grains Lil Gun lit by a Federal 155 primer. I consider this Smith a little unique due to the fact it is a 657-5 with the -5 being the introduction of the lock. As you can see in the picture below, the frame wasn't machined or internals installed for the lock, but the arrow and "L" have been etched on the frame.

I took Randy Miller's advice on cooking half the breast in a pan with real butter after seasoning with "Fiesta Brand" chicken fajita seasoning. It went from field to table in about 4 hours, and it was pretty darn good. I think it would have been a little better if I would have let it marinade over night with the seasoning. Next time.