CVA Muzzleloading Blog

Wyatt Schearer from Shoot Straight TV with His Tennessee Turkey

cvamuzzleloaders — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:06:21 +0000

Editors Note: Jr. Pro Staffer Wyatt Schearer from Shoot Straight TV starts his season off right in Tennessee with the CVA Apex and its tight shooting Bergara 12 gauge Turkey Barrel.

Hunting eastern gobblers can be a challenge at times. Days of scouting, patterning your shotgun and preparing for the hunt all take place prior to your hunt. Then you hope when everything comes together. I once heard that luck is where preparation meets opportunity. It was the first morning in Tennessee. Our good friend Ted Bratcher had been scouting birds and knew where a gobbler had been strutting mid-morning for the last several days. As we got out of the truck he said if we are patient this morning we will get this bird if he does what he normally does. It was still dark as we slipped the decoy into the field and set up in a hedgerow of trees. My wife Marsha, Wyatt’s mom, was running camera for our show Shoot Straight and we were settled in for what would probably be a couple hour wait. Just in case there were any birds close we did some light tree yelps on our call. The sun was starting to scarcely light the sky when Marsha whispered I almost have enough cameras light. Within minutes we heard wings flapping and the gobbler was pitching down over our heads and landed on the other side of our decoy. Wyatt raised the CVA Apex that had been resting on his knee and looked through his Konus Atomic Sight. The gobbler was standing alert at 41 yards. He slowly cocked the hammer and Marsha said, “I am on him.” The shot hit its mark and the bird dropped. We ran up on the gobbler and high fives were flying not to mention the feathers too. What an exciting seven-minute hunt. We were at Cracker Barrel eating breakfast by 7:00 am. How often does that ever happen?

By Chad Schearer from Shoot Straight TV

Missouri Turkey Hunt with Eddie Stripling from Open Season TV

cvamuzzleloaders — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:29:56 +0000

After taking a limit of five Gobblers in my home State of Alabama I decided to try my luck turkey hunting in Missouri. The first two mornings in Missouri the temperature was in the 30′s and the turkeys were not gobbling much. In Missouri you can only hunt till 1PM each day so in the afternoons we would glass fields looking for gobblers and it paid off. On the second afternoon I located three long beards with a group of hens feeding in a pasture on a cattle farm that I had hunted and taken turkeys on in previous years. As I glassed the long beards with my binoculars I told Darin I know where we will be at daylight in the morning.
The next morning about an hour before daylight Darin and I put up the Rhino blind and placed the decoys about 20 yards in front of the blind. Just as it started breaking day turkeys started gobbling almost 360 degrees around our setup and I gave Darin a thumbs up! Not long after daylight turkeys starting flying down in the pasture we were set up in with two long beards in the flock! The turkeys were probable 400 yards or so from our blind so I knew I needed to make some very convincing calls to make them come to our setup. After about and hour of watching them strut and gobble I got the two gobblers to leave the hens and come my way. Both Gobblers came in to about 45 yards and started clucking like they saw something they didn’t like! The two Gobblers were walking around in circles right next to each other and finally one of the Gobblers separated from the other. I was sure glad I had the CVA resting on the Bog-Pod shooting sticks because my nerves had me shaking! I placed the red dot of the Vortex Sparc on his head and sent a load of Winchester #6 shot down the barrel of the CVA Apex to end the morning hunt. When I walked out and picked up the Gobbler I was very pleased to see that it had 1 ½” spurs and a nice 11” beard!

Keep watching “Open Season TV” on the Pursuit channel and look for my Missouri Turkey hunt!

Eddie Striping Kentucky Turkey Hunt with CVA

cvamuzzleloaders — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:21:15 +0000

It’s “OPEN SEASON” on Kentucky long beards! I got an invitation from fellow “OPEN SEASON TV” pro staff member Rusty Jackson in Kentucky to come turkey hunt with him. You don’t have to ask me twice to go turkey hunting so I loaded the truck and headed north. The first morning in Kentucky Rusty had me on gobbling turkeys and even had one come to our decoys but he didn’t hang around long enough to get the footage I wanted on film. We got on several gobblers the next couple of days but just couldn’t get the footage I wanted. On the last morning of my hunt I set up before daylight in a planted corn field where we had located turkeys in the day before. As it started breaking day a gobbler started gobbling about a 100 yards from our setup. After the turkeys flew down, I never heard another gobble. I made all the sweet calls I knew to make on my turkey calls but I could not convince the turkey to gobble again to give away his location. I decided to move down the edge of the corn field to see if I could locate the gobbler. I slipped around the edge of the field and saw the big gobbler strutting over a rise in the field with his hen girlfriends. I knew now why he was not gobbling he had plenty of company. I backed up and slipped my strutting gobbler decoy and a hen decoy out into the edge of the field and backed up into a bush to hide myself. About 30 minutes later I saw just a hen turkey head sticking up above the rise in the corn field and I could tell they were feeding my way. I l then seen the top of the fan on the Gobbler strutting in the field. I eased my CVA Apex rifle with 12ga Turkey Barrel up on my BOG POD shooting sticks and got ready. As soon as the Gobbler seen the decoys he headed my way! I placed the red dot on the VORTEX SPARC on his head and made sure Darin had the Gobbler in the viewfinder on the Sony camera and I let the Winchester Elite Supreme do the rest. I got my first Kentucky long beard thanks to Rusty Jackson! The Gobbler weighted in at 20 lbs had a 10 inch beard and sharp 1 3/8″ spurs. I want to thank Rusty Jackson, Adam Bush and their Families for a great time in Kentucky.
Eddie Striping From Open Season TV

Kentucky Turkey with Adam Bush from Openseason TV Using the CVA Apex

cvamuzzleloaders — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:35:10 +0000

It was the morning of April 28th here in KY. We went to one of our farms where we knew the birds where going to be. The plan was for me and Jesse (Rusty’s wife) to kill a double while Rusty was running the camera. We got our CVA Apex’s with a 12 Ga Turkey barrels and the Winchester shells. We then went and set up under an old dead tree, where I had been watching the birds pitch out there almost every day. Sure enough as soon as we got set up the birds started hammering right behind us. We probably had five different birds gobbling all around us. It was about 6:00am when we heard the birds pitch out behind us, within 20 seconds Rusty says there they are. Two Toms walked within 15 yards of the blind and headed straight for Ol’ King Strut. We waited till rusty had both birds in the frame. I rose up the CVA Apex and so did Jesse, we both turned on our Vortex red dot scopes put them on our birds. Rusty counted to three and boom my bird drops, but Jesse missed hers granted her bird was nervous and was walking when she shot. I ran out got my bird and put him behind the cause we still had birds hammering. It wasn’t five minutes later before another Tom pitches out. After a few yelps he pops up over the hill see’s the King Strut and comes in over 400 yards away on a string. Jesse wasn’t going to miss this bird, she pulls the hammer back on the CVA Apex and drops the bird in his tracts. The CVA and then Winchester shells did their job… I’m tagged out in KY. It’s Openseason Baby!!!!!

Adam Bush from OpenSeasonTV

Turkey Hunting from Mike Vannes Opean Season TV with The CVA Apex

cvamuzzleloaders — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:13:33 +0000

It was a great clear, crisp morning and perfect for turkey hunting! I loaded up the CVA Apex 12 Ga Turkey Barrel with some Winchester Extended range Shells and My OL Tom vest and headed to the woods. It started off slow, we heard a few Gobbles on the roost and then silence. So we did a little walking and locating for a couple hours and we didn’t hear anything. We reached a field edge and there was a HUGE TOM in the field with a few lady friends, so I to tried to get a little closer. I belly crawled to put out a decoy and crawled back, got set up and let out a few calls with my HS strut slate. I had him gobbling his head off but he just wouldn’t leave his women, so we decided to head back in to town and get lunch. We got back and headed to our Rhino blind we set up earlier near that field. Hoping we were on the travel route were he might come back to roost. After sitting for about a half hour had a few whitetail doe’s come in, and that was it. We let out a few clucks and yelps then we just shut up did that about every 15-20 minutes. We were about to pack it up and head out hog hunting then I hear my camera guy say, “BIG tom BIG tom!” He was walking down the road from that same field, it was a plan all coming together. We got all situated and it felt like hours had past he was very quiet and slow being very cautious looking at the decoys, the Tom got closer and closer I shouldered the CVA Apex and looked tough the Vortex Optics spark put the red dot on the head , ask my camera guy “You on em!” He said, “OH YEAH.” ,, The Boss Tom stood about 35 yards away and, I let the CVA bark and the Winchester’s bite and it did the number on that OL Tom… I was so pumped, it was my first Osceola and I had a lot of confidence in my equipment and it paid off. It’s OPEN SEASON TV on Osceola’s.

Mike Vannes from Open Season TV

Spring Turkey Hunt with Bobby Haley with The CVA Apex

cvamuzzleloaders — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:15:22 +0000

This year was my first look into the world of spring turkey hunting! I must say spring hunting this bird is easier said than done! Andy Weichers, the host of Campfire Stories TV, was my guide and it wasn’t exactly what you would call an easy season. We started out in Jones county IA. From the start we “assumed” it would be a one and done season for us. We were unsuccessful in closing the deal. We ended that morning’s hunt and that evening skunked!
We left Iowa a few weeks later to try our luck with the turkeys in Nebraska! The destination was Atkinson, NE where we wanted to check out an outfitter we were going to deer hunt this fall. We arrived there in the early afternoon and headed straight out to find some birds. The next morning we woke up at 4 a.m. and Mark Hysell, the owner of Trophy Deer Outfitters took us to our spot. Once again we hauled in our gear, and positioned ourselves atop a ridge. The morning hunt was Andy’s behind the CVA Apex and me behind the camera. We set out the decoys and began to call. A lone gobbler answered us and was soon following a hen into our decoys. I heard the click of the hammer being cocked on the Apex and then heard Andy’s whispered words “You on him?” the hammer fell. With the thunderous bark of the CVA Apex 12 Ga Turkey Barrel and a cloud of feathers, the tom lay dead. After high fives and pictures it was my turn behind the Apex. We then headed to the property we would be hunting this fall and try to spot and stalk some gobblers there. We pulled up to a huge river gorge and made our way down the steep sandy hill to check out where our stands would be. As we were standing there talking we heard a gobble in the distance. We looked at each smiled, then quickly set up to call this guy in. Andy hit the call and was quickly answered from both sides of the river. Andy looks at me points in the direction of the tom on our side and says, that’s the one we’ll kill! We worked up the bank into a clearing and set up under some cedars and began to call. Every time Andy would call to the tom he would answer and soon he was just down the hill. Just about then the tom gobbled one last time! He came bobbing his head around the corner. The tom rounded the corner and stopped in front of a bare spot in the cedar I was hiding in. I hesitated a moment thinking he would see me. Slowly I raised the Apex, cocked the hammer and just as Andy said kill him, I pulled the trigger! As I think back on this journey I realize that no matter how hard or discouraging a hunt can be, when you finally put your hands on the animal your hunting all those difficulties fade away!

Kentucky Turkeys from James Blankenbeckler with The CVA Apex Part 2

cvamuzzleloaders — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:33:31 +0000

Editors Note: Click Here to read Part1 to this blog.

Adam had to go back to work so Rusty drew the short straw and took me to a farm he knew had birds on it. Rusty and Adam scout nonstop and know where the birds are and what they do on their farms. We got set up and a hen came out into the field first. It wasn’t long and there were several birds including a couple long beards in the field and closing the distance to us just as Rusty knew they would. The birds got to under 35yds and I just blew it and hit the wrong button on my red dot scope and turned it off instead of on. All I could do is stay still and watch the birds go away from us. Rusty looked at me and said we are not done yet. For the next 2 hours we went back and forth in a creek bottom watching and planning how to kill one of the two long beards. We were in easy range a couple times but couldn’t get the camera and me both in a position where we could film and shoot the bird. Finally Rusty came up with a plan. We would go to a crest in the hill set up the strutter decoy and a hen where they could see it. Sure enough Rusty crawled out and put the decoy where they could see it but not him while I set up. It worked as he planned the Gobbler seen it and came running in. The first bird peeled off but the second bird kept coming. This time I was ready I had the CVA Apex with 12 Ga Turkey Barrel loaded with some #5 Extended range Winchesters and I hit the on button (this time) on my Vortex Scope this time. The bird stopped and held up at 56yds and Rusty said shoot him. I cocked the hammer and squeezed the trigger on the Apex and dropped him where he stood. This was my 2nd bird in as many days. This gun and ammo combo is deadly is all I can say. Shot both my birds at over 35 yards and they didn’t stand a chance. I want to think Adam, Rusty and their families for having me down and showing me the hospitality the south is known for and the best turkey hunting that I have ever seen. Thanks Again guys.

by James Blankenbeckler

Clint O’Day’s Iowa Turkey Hunt With The CVA Apex

cvamuzzleloaders — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:10:34 +0000

Day: Monday
Date: April 23, 2012
Time: 5:00 A.M.
Location: Southern Iowa

The dateline above would lead most readers to believe this day is starting out as a turkey hunt. Actually, as I shut my alarm off, activities going through my mind revolve around my full time job at Vermeer Corporation in Pella, Iowa. However, as I stand on my deck feeling the temperature, stare up at the stars and listen to birds, I have fading visions of longbeards responding to my calls. My plans were to hunt Tuesday and Wednesday so I readied myself for work. Half-way to work, curiosity gets to me since Iowa had changed all of their season dates. I pulled my license out to confirm the end date….oh boy, season ends Tuesday- not Wednesday. Too late now, so into work I go. An hour into my day, my manager sent me an email telling me to go fill my tag. I am not sure the server even had time to respond by the time I turned my out of office reply on and pointed my truck home to change and grab my gear. At 7:00 I rolled into my driveway and at 7:15 I backed out for a farm that was 35 minutes away. As I opened the gate, IU was pretty certain I could see fresh tire tracks through the morning dew in the pasture. Three minutes later, it was confirmed. Another hunter had pulled back there and parked where I typically would. What an unexpected event. It was 7:55 and I had no back-up plan but kicked my mind into gear before the whole morning was shot. A farm I am familiar with is one hour away or a farm I have never turkey hunted was 30-35 minutes away. Knowing I had to be back to work between 11:30 and 12:00, I chose the closer farm but had no idea if the turkey hunting was any good.
At 8:40 I find myself pulling into a driveway that looked like a public hunting spot. ATV, truck and human tracks were everywhere. With no other option, I grabbed my CVA Apex with 12 Ga. Turkey Barrel, decoys and hunting vest full of calls. I was leaving my blind and chair behind while I “tested” this farm and really had already skipped ahead to tomorrow mornings hunt out there. Figuring today was going to be more scouting and getting things ready for Tuesday. I was 40 yards from the spot I had planned to set up at when a distant gobble caught my attention. Since I was walking, I was not able to pinpoint the location. Estimating the bird to be between 400-600 yards and knowing the lay of the land, my pre-planned spot was as good as any. Since this was an unplanned hunt, I did not have a cameraman, so clearing foliage and making sure I can get multiple camera angles by myself were important. At 8:55, with the decoys in place and plenty of shooting lanes, I begin working him. By 9:00 he was answering every call. Much to my surprise, another gobbler joined in but he was much closer and coming from the opposite direction. At 9:05 he showed up 120 yards away. He worked himself right in to my set up directly over the tail feathers of my strutter decoy. I positioned the camera and brought my CVA Apex up to my cheek. I had practiced with various loads at the shooting range the previous Wednesday and knew my confidence level was established in my gun and turkey load. I let this big ole boss work in to me and when I felt I had all the footage I needed to give him the respect he deserved, the hammer slammed forward at 9:12 A.M. This hunt will long be remembered and one of my top five gobblers lay yards away from my decoy. I was honored to put my tag around the leg of a 26 pound, 13 ounce bird that sported 1-5/8” spurs that allowed me to self-film and share the excitement with others on Campfire Stories TV.
The second gobbler was left alone for what I hope is a good fourth season hunt for my wife or me. What started out as a workday, turned into a payday, even with multiple obstacles. If you surround yourself with high quality gear, weapons and products, you can direct your attention to the other challenges you may not have complete control over.

By Clint O’Day From Campfire Stories TV

Kentucky Turkeys from James Blankenbeckler with The CVA Apex

cvamuzzleloaders — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:11:09 +0000

Well Adam and Rusty had a great game plan and put me on the birds. We saw 11 longbeards in the morning but just couldn’t get it done. Adam and I decided to set up in the evening where we saw 8 toms that the morning. We setup on the edge of an open field on a high spot where we could see the whole area. We had the decoys out and the 3.5″ Winchester Extremes #5′S loaded in the CVA Apex now it was just a waiting game for the evening hunt. We sat there a couple hours and Adam saw a gobbler all the way across the field about 550yds away. After a few yelps the bird stopped and looked our way. A couple minutes later he headed our way once he saw decoys he was locked and coming fast. I turned on my Vortex red dot scope put the CVA Apex on the Bog Pod and tried to control my excitement as the bird continued to close in a hurry. He came all the way into the decoys and we milked the footage as long as we could until Adam gave me the word. I squeezed the trigger and hammered him as he went down in a hurry. This was an awesome hunt with great friends. He was my first bird since 2005 and my first turkey hunt since 2008 due to my work schedule. I can’t thank Adam and Rusty and their family enough for the great hunt and even better hospitality.

by James Blankenbeckler

Bruce Severson with His CVA Apex Rifle

cvamuzzleloaders — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:35:35 +0000

Having previously owned CVA muzzleloaders and rifles I knew I would be in for a treat when I ordered my new CVA APEX. I was not disappointed once I got my new APEX and first took it out of the box. Just shouldering the gun for the first time had a feel that this gun “fit” me perfectly. Aside from the ergonomics of how well the stock seemed to fit me, the butt stock and forearm had the same soft touch coating characteristic of other CVA rifles. After getting a good scope and sighting in my new .50 cal muzzleloader. It was evident that the Bergara Barrel that came on it was an engineering marvel, as I was able to lap shots at 150 yards. Compared to the competition, Apex’s tools free breech plug is the only breech plug that is truly hands free. To top off this great gun, it too comes with the best sling on the market today, a Claw.

In addition, I ordered the new 12 gauge turkey barrel. Upon receiving the new shot gun barrel I was excited to pair it with a TRU Glow turkey taker. Now on to the range. At first, I was a little apprehensive of the stock factory choke that came with the barrel. I feel the choke is one of the most important technical factors of a turkey gun. In fact, I was ready to order different choke for this barrel however, I was pleasantly surprised at the range. Again, CVA took no short cuts in picking an outstanding choke for this gun. After sighting in the TRU Glow, I was able to determine the pattern held very tight at 40 yds. The majority of the pellets hit within an 8” target. I could not believe it!

I did play around with several different loads to find the one that suited me and what I determined to be the best performer for this gun. I will say about every load I tried performed well. I landed with Federal Premium 3 ½” 5 shot 2 oz. turkey loads because I wanted to be prepared to take long shots should the need arise.

Not only is this a great performing shot gun; the aesthetics of this gun and barrel combo are outstanding as well. It has the performance you have come to trust from CVA. It is a gun you will be proud to have.

I cannot wait as I count down the days to May 2 when our 4^th turkey season starts here in Iowa.

By Bruce Severson