For several years, I like many turkey hunters have named birds that we had great duels with. For me however, a name is a curse, I have never killed a bird that I named. I avoid it like the plague now, but every once in a while one still earns a name. These are my journal entries from the past 7 days and the story as how this bird earned its name.
April 23, 2012:
My dad and I started after a bird I had heard several times in a creek
bottom. I called fairly aggressively and he was definitely responding
to my calls on the roost, but when he flew down he was on the far side
of the creek. At times he would get to where he sounded just out of
sight in the bottom, then he would turn and walk back the other way.
Never going 20 minutes without gobbling.
I continued occasional calling as I tried to decide what to do when a
lone hen came in and jumped up on the gate on the fence before crossing
over to talk to the DSD decoy. I finally ran her off as the gobbler
was working the other direction and we worked across the creek to head
after him. He was moving East down the bottom and we set up on him 3
additional times, but he would never come back towards us. We slid up
to the edge of a field and just as we were within 10 yards of setting
up, I spotted him right on the crest of the hill. Big ole longbeard in
full strut. He noticed us but didn't spook. He had us pinned down
just standing like statues for several minutes before he finally went
over the hill. Dad slid up to a tree and I was on my back in the weeds behind
him with the decoy in front of me. Hit the call and no answer.
Hit the call again...no answer. Finally cut and he hammered back at
us. But instead of moving towards us I hear him fly a ditch and walk
south into the next cornfield over. I can see him over there, and for
the next 15 minutes he would answer me, but never budged. An old
veteran bird for sure. He was safe in the open and he knew the hen
should be coming.
Headed for another farm, where we did not hear any gobbling, but got the
treat of the season for me. My six year old Cannon was sitting in my
gobbler lounger and whispered to me that he heard something walking. He
used his voice to yelp and was immediately answered by a hen. Before I
know it there is a loan hen standing five yards away exchanging hen
talk with my boy! It was classic, cannon would yelp, the hen would
cluck and purr and cannon would imitate.
April 26, 2012:
Based on scouting and hunting, I knew that big bird from the first day
was hitting the ground and going to the same field on regular basis. So
this day we got in early and set in his field and waited for him. He
gobbled on schedule and then flew down...and went to a different location.
We moved into a ravine and he gobbled just up on the hill, less than
150 yards, so we set up in the timber. He shut up for about 10 minutes
and the next time he gobbled he was quite a ways away in the next draw
over. We hustled that way , I just knew he was headed to the field
again and just as we were rounding a bend, he gobbled in the field,
headed right at us. He was coming too fast and we had to just lay down
in the grass. We set up my gobbler lounger and dad hid behind it with
his gun rested on the back of it. The bird gobbled again and I just
had to lay flat on the ground with the decoy still on my back!
I hit the call 4 notes, he gobbled and appeared at the crest of the
field. Looking right at us. There was nothing we could do. He
strutted and gobbled and strutted and gobbled with the rising sun on
him. Beautiful sight. As we lay there caught in the open getting
attacked by gnats, he finally lost interest and headed back towards the
timber. He is just an old bird that knows the hen is supposed to come
to him. We didn't hear him or any other bird again.
April 27, 2012:
Dad's season was over so I went in after that big bird again. Crept in
down the ridge and set up on an opening in the bottom. The bird
gobbled at 5:15 A.M. and he was directly down my gun barrell
approximately 70 yards away. He gobbled heavily as always and just
before fly down I hit a very quiet tree call on my slate. He
immediately double gobbled. Then I heard clucking and looked to see a
loan hen, headed directly to where he was at, still in the tree. He
gobbled 3 times from the ground and then I did not hear him. I assumed
he was breeding that hen, he finally gobbled again and was just past a
brush pile still about 70 yards away, but seemed to be working my way.
I hit one quiet series on the mouth call and he answered.
15 minutes with no sound at all, I am just waiting to catch a glimpse
of a white head coming through the dark timber...when I suddenly hear
multiple alarm putts, and see two turkeys jump up and fly towards me,
obviously spooked by something. The gobbler went to my right, the hen
to my left....I never saw a person, but I suspect it was a neighboring
hunter trying to move in on the bird, but it could of been a yote.
Headed for another farm, set up in the bottom pasture near the ditch
that leads into neighbors creek. Hit the call and immediately heard a
faint gobble. It was extremely windy so I wasn't sure how far out it
was, but of course it was across the fence, across the deep creek, and
in the neighbors field. Hit the box call again and he gobbled closer
but still faint. Waited a few minutes and I hit the call and he
HAMMERED right behind me 40 yards away right on the field edge. I
started convincing myself that maybe he would fly the creek and
fence...when I suddenly catch movement to my right...and see a hen pop
out. She walks right to the DSD and purrs at it a bit then starts
feeding less than 15 yards from me. He gobbles again and seems like he
is right on top of me, but still across the fence and creek...directly
behind me...when the unthinkable happens...I hear a cracking sound,
and then out of nowhere a TREE falls to the ground with a huge crash.
The hen freaks out but stays put, but I never heard the gobbler again
for an hour.
I went running and gunning and at about
12:30 I decided to head back to the same spot just for the heck of it.
Hit the call and was answered immediately....in the same darn field.
He wasn't making much ground this time so I let him be and headed out
at 1 p.m. quitting time. At that particular spot I had visited four
times and had turkeys in the neighbors field four times. Time to find
permission!!!
April 28, 2012:
Wanted to get that big bird off my so I headed for a farm where
Hollywood killed his bird, that is traditionally our best turkey farm...
Started the morning out set up on the field where Hollywood killed his
bird. Did not hear a single gobble, only one hen which later flew
down to the North and headed towards the sycamore tree area. The
highlight of the morning was a pair of young bucks that both came in
and sniffed the DSD decoy. Packed up early and headed for the big
bird. The bird was gobbling on his own. Made an aggressive move to
get in there, called and he hammered to me, but left the timber and
went straight to the open field (his main move). I was easing in and
he continued to gobble from his favorite field. I was within 150 yards
when a bunch of deer jumped up and ran right across the field he was
in. He did not make another sound. I had soccer for Cannon today so
had to quit at 9:30
April 29, 2012:
Started out on the farm I nicknamed mission impossible because the birds
are always on the neighbors. Heard two birds gobble near the north end
of the neighbors ground, and was seeing a bunch of lightning. With no
birds on the property I jumped in the truck and headed back towards
home hoping to miss the storm by moving 20 miles north. By the time I
got into big bird country, he was in his favorite field gobbling at
thunder. I moved in and got all the way to his field. He gobbled just
over the crest, I was able to set the DSD and get hidden. I let him
gobble 3 more times before I made any calls, then I made one quiet
series of calls. He did not respond. I waited 15 minutes and he
gobbled again and sounded slightly farther away. I hit the call again,
he did not respond. 10 more minutes and he gobbles in the timber
across the field. I am thinking classic old bird tactic, he is gonna
circle and take a peek.
SIDE BAR: To summarize this bird...he has gone to same spot in same
field every day except the one day we set up there. When called to he
leaves the timber and goes to the open field and gobbles his butt off.
At this point...I start thinking a thought I have thought for 4 hunts
now...this bird is worthy of a name...but I know if I name him, I will
never kill him...its just how it works with me. At this point...as he
gobbles even farther away, I feel beaten, and think about his
tactics...he never worries about going to a hen, he always seems to
expect the hen to come to him...and hence the name Hakuna Matata popped
in my head. Yes from lion king...and from this day forward he is known
as Hakuna to me for short.
Back to the action: Snap out of it, I head for the truck and drive
around to the east side of the farm to see where he was headed...and
low and behold there is the newly named and immortalized Hakuna
standing in the freakin ditch with a hen. I had visions of 14 beards
and triple spurs, but I drove within 5 yards of him AS HE GOBBLED. He
was standing in the field edge and I could see his spurs and his thick
paint brush beard before he ran off. His biggest feature is his body,
he is a huge bodied bird. A few fair words for him and I was on my
way.
Feeling defeated, I pulled my wild card out, with storms coming and
rain everywhere, I decided to head to a distant farm where I rarely hunt
but always seem to do well...go figure. The plan was to pop up the
blind and just sit in the rain. I drove the 20 minutes to the farm,
parked the truck and realized...the blind is in the garage at home. I
literally hit 2 series of box calls with no response before is started
pouring. I headed back to the truck and drove the 20 minutes back to
my house. Visited with the family for a while and then decided, I am
gonna make good on a crappy day. Grabbed the blind and decided to go to a farm where I can see far and have seen birds in the rain before.
I packed the blind 2 miles on foot, crossed the fence, and the deep
ravine and set up on the field edge. Naturally it was the first day
that I haven't seen or heard a bird in that particular field. Lucky for me, I was
able to enjoy a lightning storm and heavy rain which pinned me down for
over an hour after legal shooting time was over!
To add insult to injury, I obtained permission to hunt a new farm and cannot hunt it again this year due to coaching and family duties.
Just to be sure on the injury/insult thing...I drove by the haunt of
Hakuna this morning...way out of my way, on the way to work...and he was
standing next to the road again!!!
Of course the turkey hunter popped out in me...if I just had one more
morning. Luckily my friend Jeff will have a shot...he is next up. Maybe he can kill my
nemesis!!!
No Pro Outdoors Blog is a place for the guys from "No Pro" Outdoors to post hunting stories, tips, and general experiences. There are no "pro hunters" here, just everyday working guys and girls that have a passion for everything hunting, fishing, and outdoors!!!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Youths and Turkey Hunting - A good intro to the woods!!!
As a father of two sons and a brother that introduced a younger sibling to hunting, I have listened closely to any advice out there about introducing kids to the outdoors. It seems the best advice obviously came from those that have been there and done that. Through my experiences with my brother Alex, and my son Cannon who has been hitting the woods with dad since age 2, I offer up reasoning as to why I believe turkeys may be the best situation for introducing a young future hunter. I am thankful to those that have passed on their experiences through success and failure and though I am far from accomplished, with my son only being six now, I have learned a multitude of lessons in the few years he has tagged along. Following is my suggestions for introducing your young hunter to the great outdoors through turkey hunting.
Now I wouldn't say its a bad idea to introduce a youngster to the outdoors through deer, or waterfowl hunting, in fact if your not a turkey hunter I would certainly encourage you to get those kids outdoors in any way you can. However, in my experience it simply is a smoother transition in the spring turkey season. Much of the same reasoning applies here as it does to why I believe any new hunter should start with turkeys...first and foremost, the weather is typically enjoyable, the timber is beautiful in the spring, and typically, your shots are stationary shots, that are usually preceded by a prep time. The gear needed is limited and available everywhere, and on a good day the audio feedback from the birds is unmatched in my opinion. Furthermore, the art of calling turkeys is, in my opinion, one of the easiest to become proficient enough to be effective in most situations. My six year old is quite capable of calling for me and in fact called a jake in for his mother when he was five. I am not bragging him up here, as he has the typical patience of a 5 or 6 year old and does not always follow my directions, and can sometimes sound more like a flock of chickens than a hen turkey.. As I will point out though, it is quite enjoyable to let it be his hunt and let him call.
Even as I see a story this morning of a seven year old young man shooting his first turkey, I am not suggesting you hurriedly get your child behind the gun and make it about pulling the trigger here, I am talking about my son having seen many birds come to the gun and the bow over the years, before he ever has the option to take a gobbler on his own. I will not pass judgment on those that put their kids out there shooting at 6 or 7 or even younger, it is just my personal belief that they should understand what is going on and learn to respect the game before they start killing.
There are many steps to taking a young hunter to the timber that need to be thought out ahead of time. Things I learned from experience such as the first time a young man or woman steps foot in the woods...in the dark. A simple thing for the experienced hunter, but quite overwhelming to a four year old, or in my experience even a 14 year old who has never experienced coyotes howling in the pre-dawn darkness.
Next, ego's have to stay at the house. The hunt must be about the youth. I received great advice over the years from my mentors regarding kids in the outdoors. The most important being, it should be their hunt. Go when they want to go, leave when they want to leave. Never make a child go to the woods, talk it over the night before and give them the option to get up or not that next morning. Encourage them to LOOK AT GAME...again the ego thing...all you waterfowlers have seen it or done it...telling a new hunter or youth to keep their head down, and hide their face leading to the people hiding missing the best part...BEFORE the guns go off. For turkeys I would recommend a face mask or face paint (big hit for a kid), and tell them to watch the bird. If they spook it they spook it, it isn't about finishing the deal at this point. Another huge success, which again I credit my mentors with, is for the kids to have their own "gear". My son has his own bag, his own flashlight, and matching gear just like dads. It is the highlight of a lot of trips when Cannon notices something in the timber, and he has the "gear" to deal with it, such as a pair of binoculars a pair of pruners, etc.
Another great addition to the gear bag for my son was a cheap digital camera. You would be surprised at some of the great pictures they take, and it entertains them a lot! Of course comfort is important. Snacks and drinks are primary commodities! Do not be afraid to bring a portable game system (with ear phones). I have found on the cooler mornings, an over sized adult coat makes a great "full body" parka in the pop up blind. Of course the pop up blinds have revolutionized the youth hunting for both deer and turkeys. I have a carpet I bring for the "floor" and my son spends a lot of time playing trucks on the floor. If I see something interesting, I whisper to him and he checks it out. Avoiding any boredom, and still introducing him to the pleasures of the outdoors. The blinds conceal most of the movement, and a lot of the sound that comes from a youngster. I have learned to set up in areas where we can see approaching game for a while, such as a field edge. One quick lesson learned and passed on...practice in the yard, find a chair and gear that fits the child, or they will not enjoy the hunt. If they can't see out of the blind, what's the point?
Finally, I return to my point about making the hunt about the youth. If he decides he wants to get out of the blind and walk, we go exploring. If he wants to leave 30 minutes before prime time, we head for the truck. I once commented to Cannon when he was three, on a deer hunt, that we couldn't leave just yet because there was a small buck in front of us and we needed the deer to leave before we left the blind. The next thing I know, he is unzipping the blind and headed out in the field...to scare the deer away so we can leave, in his mind, he fixed dad's problem. If I had been mad at him for that, it would have totally changed his outlook on hunting.
A second finally? VERY IMPORTANT: Whatever game you are hunting, if there is a gun involved...PROTECT THEIR EARS!!! I cringe every time I see youngsters going along with dad and a shotgun and no hearing protection. Coming from a guy that has permanent ear damage...if you ring your ears or theirs...it is hearing lost. Get them some ear muffs that fit or comfortable ear plugs...and practice with them, make sure they know what the gun will sound like, and what to expect.
With a six year old and a 4 month old, I am constantly learning from my kids. I make an effort to involve them in everything outdoors, but it is their option. Sometimes I find they teach me more than anyone. So if you haven't already, please take your kids to the woods on a spring hunt, if you use some of the tips above and learn from your children, I am sure you will find it a rewarding experience!
Now I wouldn't say its a bad idea to introduce a youngster to the outdoors through deer, or waterfowl hunting, in fact if your not a turkey hunter I would certainly encourage you to get those kids outdoors in any way you can. However, in my experience it simply is a smoother transition in the spring turkey season. Much of the same reasoning applies here as it does to why I believe any new hunter should start with turkeys...first and foremost, the weather is typically enjoyable, the timber is beautiful in the spring, and typically, your shots are stationary shots, that are usually preceded by a prep time. The gear needed is limited and available everywhere, and on a good day the audio feedback from the birds is unmatched in my opinion. Furthermore, the art of calling turkeys is, in my opinion, one of the easiest to become proficient enough to be effective in most situations. My six year old is quite capable of calling for me and in fact called a jake in for his mother when he was five. I am not bragging him up here, as he has the typical patience of a 5 or 6 year old and does not always follow my directions, and can sometimes sound more like a flock of chickens than a hen turkey.. As I will point out though, it is quite enjoyable to let it be his hunt and let him call.
Even as I see a story this morning of a seven year old young man shooting his first turkey, I am not suggesting you hurriedly get your child behind the gun and make it about pulling the trigger here, I am talking about my son having seen many birds come to the gun and the bow over the years, before he ever has the option to take a gobbler on his own. I will not pass judgment on those that put their kids out there shooting at 6 or 7 or even younger, it is just my personal belief that they should understand what is going on and learn to respect the game before they start killing.
There are many steps to taking a young hunter to the timber that need to be thought out ahead of time. Things I learned from experience such as the first time a young man or woman steps foot in the woods...in the dark. A simple thing for the experienced hunter, but quite overwhelming to a four year old, or in my experience even a 14 year old who has never experienced coyotes howling in the pre-dawn darkness.
Next, ego's have to stay at the house. The hunt must be about the youth. I received great advice over the years from my mentors regarding kids in the outdoors. The most important being, it should be their hunt. Go when they want to go, leave when they want to leave. Never make a child go to the woods, talk it over the night before and give them the option to get up or not that next morning. Encourage them to LOOK AT GAME...again the ego thing...all you waterfowlers have seen it or done it...telling a new hunter or youth to keep their head down, and hide their face leading to the people hiding missing the best part...BEFORE the guns go off. For turkeys I would recommend a face mask or face paint (big hit for a kid), and tell them to watch the bird. If they spook it they spook it, it isn't about finishing the deal at this point. Another huge success, which again I credit my mentors with, is for the kids to have their own "gear". My son has his own bag, his own flashlight, and matching gear just like dads. It is the highlight of a lot of trips when Cannon notices something in the timber, and he has the "gear" to deal with it, such as a pair of binoculars a pair of pruners, etc.
Another great addition to the gear bag for my son was a cheap digital camera. You would be surprised at some of the great pictures they take, and it entertains them a lot! Of course comfort is important. Snacks and drinks are primary commodities! Do not be afraid to bring a portable game system (with ear phones). I have found on the cooler mornings, an over sized adult coat makes a great "full body" parka in the pop up blind. Of course the pop up blinds have revolutionized the youth hunting for both deer and turkeys. I have a carpet I bring for the "floor" and my son spends a lot of time playing trucks on the floor. If I see something interesting, I whisper to him and he checks it out. Avoiding any boredom, and still introducing him to the pleasures of the outdoors. The blinds conceal most of the movement, and a lot of the sound that comes from a youngster. I have learned to set up in areas where we can see approaching game for a while, such as a field edge. One quick lesson learned and passed on...practice in the yard, find a chair and gear that fits the child, or they will not enjoy the hunt. If they can't see out of the blind, what's the point?
Finally, I return to my point about making the hunt about the youth. If he decides he wants to get out of the blind and walk, we go exploring. If he wants to leave 30 minutes before prime time, we head for the truck. I once commented to Cannon when he was three, on a deer hunt, that we couldn't leave just yet because there was a small buck in front of us and we needed the deer to leave before we left the blind. The next thing I know, he is unzipping the blind and headed out in the field...to scare the deer away so we can leave, in his mind, he fixed dad's problem. If I had been mad at him for that, it would have totally changed his outlook on hunting.
A second finally? VERY IMPORTANT: Whatever game you are hunting, if there is a gun involved...PROTECT THEIR EARS!!! I cringe every time I see youngsters going along with dad and a shotgun and no hearing protection. Coming from a guy that has permanent ear damage...if you ring your ears or theirs...it is hearing lost. Get them some ear muffs that fit or comfortable ear plugs...and practice with them, make sure they know what the gun will sound like, and what to expect.
With a six year old and a 4 month old, I am constantly learning from my kids. I make an effort to involve them in everything outdoors, but it is their option. Sometimes I find they teach me more than anyone. So if you haven't already, please take your kids to the woods on a spring hunt, if you use some of the tips above and learn from your children, I am sure you will find it a rewarding experience!
 |
| Cannon and Mom |
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
2 for 2 Two central IL birds down in drastically different weather!
April 16, 2012, was the opener for first season in Illinois North Zone. As has become tradition I met up with good friend Marc to share a hunt. Mother nature was not too kind as we were met with overcast conditions and sustained 20+ mph winds with gusts close to 30. The unseasonably warm weather had the turkeys on late season roosting patterns and that combined with extremely dense underbrush, led us to determining a blind set on an open corn stubble field was the best bet. We set the blind in a field edge and were within 60 yards of the property line, where a convenient hole in the fence seemed to offer at least a chance that we could coax a bird from that direction. Light came and we heard no gobbles, other than a couple muffled gobbles far down in the neighbors timber, not accessible and out of calling range. We passed the time talking about our kids, old times, how many turkeys and deer we would of killed when we were younger if we had the gear we have now and the normal stuff that goes on in most blinds on a day like that. At 7 a.m. a hen appeared in the gap in the fence and made a line right to the decoy, where she was about to attack when the sun peaked through and lit up a couple pasty white faces in the black blind and she got out of dodge in a hurry.
Around 7:20 A.M. I had just stood up to stretch and peek out the roof hole, and was in the midst of telling Marc about a hunt where I had done the same thing and been surprised by a gobbler, when I looked out the window and saw a red and white head bobbing by the opening in the fence!!! I whispered to Marc but the bird continued into the timber, not turning in the gap. Marc hit his call, and the bird gobbled, a few seconds later he called again and the bird answered, with a third gobble just on the field edge and shortly the head reappeared in the gap in the fence. The bird was being extremely cautious but when he caught glimpse of the decoy and verified there were no hostile gobblers in the area, he started our way, tripping on the downed fence before getting into the field and popping into strut at 50 yards. The bird put on a show strutting all the way to the decoy at 15 yards before Marc finally finished him with one shot!!! Hoots and hollers and high fives, and we had bird number one on the ground for 2012, in nearly impossible weather conditions.
We spent the remainder of the day trying blind calling, but not hearing anything but the roaring wind until quitting time at 1p.m.
April 17, 2012:
I was on my own on day 2 and the weather was much more enticing...50 degrees, no wind, and clear skies were forecasted and the stars greeted me on my drive to a farm that I had never hunted, much less ever heard a turkey on. I had recently reunited with an aunt and uncle that I lost track with over the years, and they were kind enough to allow me a chance to turkey hunt their property. I went in completely blind with one trip under my belt to check the property lines, I had been rained out on my prior scouting trips so I had no idea if I would hear anything at all.
The calm morning started quietly and finally a bird sounded off to the South. I just knew another bird would start gobbling closer but as night gave way to daylight I realized that would not be the case. The only bird I could hear was on extreme edge of the property or so I thought. I decided to head that direction as he was gobbling about every five minutes or so. My lack of experience on the farm caught up to me quickly, as I started cutting across an old cow pasture and ran into cattle corrals, and old fences all grown up in nearly 10 years of brush. Crossing 7 fences or cattle panels, I fought thick brush to the point I had to give up and turn around on 2 occasions. Finally taking a mile detour I arrived on the far end of the farm...only to hear the bird gobble and he had moved across the road onto property I cannot hunt. I hit the call a few times and he ignored me.
I decided to head back to the original starting point and do some "cutt'n and runn'n." My second stop was a spot where I had noted when walking the farm with my uncle, it was just one of those places that looked "turkey." I could see myself killing a bird there, a rolling pasture with timbered draws meeting a creek that adjoined the neighbors huge open bottom field. I cut on my crystal call and low and behold an answer! Multiple birds answered, they were far but they were definitely gobblers. I eased down the pasture another 200 yards and hit the call again at the head of an old field road. Two birds sounded off, then a hen, then I spotted them up on a big hillside on the neighbor's ground. Two big beautiful strutters and several other birds, mostly hens. I hit the call again while watching through binoculars and the lead hen, turned and started leading the entire procession right at me! They were over 300 yards away, so I had plenty of time to set the decoy and get comfortable. About 10 minutes later I hear a hen yelping and then the gobblers answer, they are much closer and still seem to be headed my way.
I decide to call to the hen, and for the next 20 minutes we exchanged vulgar turkey language with each other with the gobblers putting on a show. The hen closed the gap and finally I heard her cutting and yelping up a storm so close I was sure she would pop out of the woods at any moment. I had a creek, a fence, and 30 yards of thick timber between myself and the birds, and the hen decided since she had the gobblers it was in her best interest not to cross all the obstacles. Every once in a while I could get a glimpse through the brush of a big tail fan back lit by the sun, and the birds continued to put on an audio show from less than 60 yards for another 20 minutes before heading out.
I made a game time decision that based on the number of hens and the way they acted it would be best for me to head to another farm,. I made the long walk out and drove back to a farm near my home. It is a very small farm with less than 30 acres of timber, but it has been known to hold a few turkeys. Recent trail cam video and pics showed a couple nice longbeards on the property, so I parked the truck on the field road and headed in to do some calling. I headed to a flat near a ridge where gobblers had hung out late morning in the past. I set up and called a few times from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Given the calm day and the small farm, I was sure if anything was going to fire up it would have in that time frame so I headed for the truck. I was walking along the edge of a waist high rye grass field when I spotted something strange in the neighboring field out in front of me...a small black dot in a field that was nothing but brown dirt on the way in! I verified it was a turkey and I started a crouched walk to get closer. I closed the distance to about 400 yards and then began to walk on my knees. The rye was so tall, it concealed everything but my head. At 300 yards, I dropped my turkey seat and began to crawl on my hands and knees, taking no chances. As I moved towards the bird, he was working towards a cut that would take him up out of the bottom and away from me. It was like a race where I could not go fast. Crawling 20 yards, checking the bird, crawling again, etc. Finally I ran out of taller rye and had closed the gap to within 40 yards of the plowed field edge.
To set the stage, the bird is working parallel to the creek bottom. To get to me he will have to pass by a bridge that is for tractors and implements, etc...20 yards beyond the bridge on the other side of the creek...is my big shiny...truck! I had nothing to lose at this point so I never even thought twice about trying to call him past my truck. I pulled out the decoy, set it and belly crawled up to a maple tree where my wife had sat to kill a turkey two seasons ago. Ironically, the truck was sitting in that exact spot on that day and her bird paid no attention to it at all.
I was about to hit the call, when I realized I left the bag laying in the rye next to the decoy and it was shining like a beacon! Back on the ground , belly crawling back to the decoy, grab the bag, check the bird...for the first time I see a beard swinging and confirm he is at least a 2 year old! The only problem is he has closed to within a couple hundred yards at this point and is nearing the cut which will take him away from me. He is higher up in the field and I felt exposed. I crawled back to the tree using a large clump of grass to keep him shielded from me. I eased up to the tree, getting settled just as he appeared from behind the clump headed into the cut. I hit the call and he immediately turned towards me! My heart rate jumped and I made sure the gun was comfortable. As he dropped back down the hill he was directly in line with the previously mentioned clump of grass and disappeared for what seemed like 10 minutes. Although it was only a couple minutes at most, I was fretting on what to do, was he running at me, did he turn away is he standing there? Finally he appeared at about 100 yards and stopped to look. From his angle all he could see was a turkey head high rye grass out in front of him. He was extremely cautious as he approached and as he closed to 75 yards he started angling away towards the timber instead of towards my location. I gave him a light series of yelps on my mouth call, and he turned back my direction. I put the cheek on the gun as he went in a dip at 50 yards. I concentrated on keeping my breathing under control as I peered down the gun barrel looking for that red and white head. Finally the bird appeared IN THE RYE, eyeballing the decoy, he took a few steps towards me, when he walked he was out of sight due to the height of the rye, and he stopped to take one final look at the decoy. I settled the bead and pulled the trigger, and the bird disappeared into the rye. The standard celebratory hoot was put on hold as I stood and went to where the bird was at, I was almost on top of him before I finally saw him in the tall grass. I was elated, a tough two days of hunting, and I closed the deal on a late morning gobbler. 2 for 2 in 2012!
Around 7:20 A.M. I had just stood up to stretch and peek out the roof hole, and was in the midst of telling Marc about a hunt where I had done the same thing and been surprised by a gobbler, when I looked out the window and saw a red and white head bobbing by the opening in the fence!!! I whispered to Marc but the bird continued into the timber, not turning in the gap. Marc hit his call, and the bird gobbled, a few seconds later he called again and the bird answered, with a third gobble just on the field edge and shortly the head reappeared in the gap in the fence. The bird was being extremely cautious but when he caught glimpse of the decoy and verified there were no hostile gobblers in the area, he started our way, tripping on the downed fence before getting into the field and popping into strut at 50 yards. The bird put on a show strutting all the way to the decoy at 15 yards before Marc finally finished him with one shot!!! Hoots and hollers and high fives, and we had bird number one on the ground for 2012, in nearly impossible weather conditions.
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| Marc with bird: 21 lbs, 9 7/8" beard, 1" spurs |
April 17, 2012:
I was on my own on day 2 and the weather was much more enticing...50 degrees, no wind, and clear skies were forecasted and the stars greeted me on my drive to a farm that I had never hunted, much less ever heard a turkey on. I had recently reunited with an aunt and uncle that I lost track with over the years, and they were kind enough to allow me a chance to turkey hunt their property. I went in completely blind with one trip under my belt to check the property lines, I had been rained out on my prior scouting trips so I had no idea if I would hear anything at all.
The calm morning started quietly and finally a bird sounded off to the South. I just knew another bird would start gobbling closer but as night gave way to daylight I realized that would not be the case. The only bird I could hear was on extreme edge of the property or so I thought. I decided to head that direction as he was gobbling about every five minutes or so. My lack of experience on the farm caught up to me quickly, as I started cutting across an old cow pasture and ran into cattle corrals, and old fences all grown up in nearly 10 years of brush. Crossing 7 fences or cattle panels, I fought thick brush to the point I had to give up and turn around on 2 occasions. Finally taking a mile detour I arrived on the far end of the farm...only to hear the bird gobble and he had moved across the road onto property I cannot hunt. I hit the call a few times and he ignored me.
I decided to head back to the original starting point and do some "cutt'n and runn'n." My second stop was a spot where I had noted when walking the farm with my uncle, it was just one of those places that looked "turkey." I could see myself killing a bird there, a rolling pasture with timbered draws meeting a creek that adjoined the neighbors huge open bottom field. I cut on my crystal call and low and behold an answer! Multiple birds answered, they were far but they were definitely gobblers. I eased down the pasture another 200 yards and hit the call again at the head of an old field road. Two birds sounded off, then a hen, then I spotted them up on a big hillside on the neighbor's ground. Two big beautiful strutters and several other birds, mostly hens. I hit the call again while watching through binoculars and the lead hen, turned and started leading the entire procession right at me! They were over 300 yards away, so I had plenty of time to set the decoy and get comfortable. About 10 minutes later I hear a hen yelping and then the gobblers answer, they are much closer and still seem to be headed my way.
I decide to call to the hen, and for the next 20 minutes we exchanged vulgar turkey language with each other with the gobblers putting on a show. The hen closed the gap and finally I heard her cutting and yelping up a storm so close I was sure she would pop out of the woods at any moment. I had a creek, a fence, and 30 yards of thick timber between myself and the birds, and the hen decided since she had the gobblers it was in her best interest not to cross all the obstacles. Every once in a while I could get a glimpse through the brush of a big tail fan back lit by the sun, and the birds continued to put on an audio show from less than 60 yards for another 20 minutes before heading out.
I made a game time decision that based on the number of hens and the way they acted it would be best for me to head to another farm,. I made the long walk out and drove back to a farm near my home. It is a very small farm with less than 30 acres of timber, but it has been known to hold a few turkeys. Recent trail cam video and pics showed a couple nice longbeards on the property, so I parked the truck on the field road and headed in to do some calling. I headed to a flat near a ridge where gobblers had hung out late morning in the past. I set up and called a few times from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Given the calm day and the small farm, I was sure if anything was going to fire up it would have in that time frame so I headed for the truck. I was walking along the edge of a waist high rye grass field when I spotted something strange in the neighboring field out in front of me...a small black dot in a field that was nothing but brown dirt on the way in! I verified it was a turkey and I started a crouched walk to get closer. I closed the distance to about 400 yards and then began to walk on my knees. The rye was so tall, it concealed everything but my head. At 300 yards, I dropped my turkey seat and began to crawl on my hands and knees, taking no chances. As I moved towards the bird, he was working towards a cut that would take him up out of the bottom and away from me. It was like a race where I could not go fast. Crawling 20 yards, checking the bird, crawling again, etc. Finally I ran out of taller rye and had closed the gap to within 40 yards of the plowed field edge.
To set the stage, the bird is working parallel to the creek bottom. To get to me he will have to pass by a bridge that is for tractors and implements, etc...20 yards beyond the bridge on the other side of the creek...is my big shiny...truck! I had nothing to lose at this point so I never even thought twice about trying to call him past my truck. I pulled out the decoy, set it and belly crawled up to a maple tree where my wife had sat to kill a turkey two seasons ago. Ironically, the truck was sitting in that exact spot on that day and her bird paid no attention to it at all.
I was about to hit the call, when I realized I left the bag laying in the rye next to the decoy and it was shining like a beacon! Back on the ground , belly crawling back to the decoy, grab the bag, check the bird...for the first time I see a beard swinging and confirm he is at least a 2 year old! The only problem is he has closed to within a couple hundred yards at this point and is nearing the cut which will take him away from me. He is higher up in the field and I felt exposed. I crawled back to the tree using a large clump of grass to keep him shielded from me. I eased up to the tree, getting settled just as he appeared from behind the clump headed into the cut. I hit the call and he immediately turned towards me! My heart rate jumped and I made sure the gun was comfortable. As he dropped back down the hill he was directly in line with the previously mentioned clump of grass and disappeared for what seemed like 10 minutes. Although it was only a couple minutes at most, I was fretting on what to do, was he running at me, did he turn away is he standing there? Finally he appeared at about 100 yards and stopped to look. From his angle all he could see was a turkey head high rye grass out in front of him. He was extremely cautious as he approached and as he closed to 75 yards he started angling away towards the timber instead of towards my location. I gave him a light series of yelps on my mouth call, and he turned back my direction. I put the cheek on the gun as he went in a dip at 50 yards. I concentrated on keeping my breathing under control as I peered down the gun barrel looking for that red and white head. Finally the bird appeared IN THE RYE, eyeballing the decoy, he took a few steps towards me, when he walked he was out of sight due to the height of the rye, and he stopped to take one final look at the decoy. I settled the bead and pulled the trigger, and the bird disappeared into the rye. The standard celebratory hoot was put on hold as I stood and went to where the bird was at, I was almost on top of him before I finally saw him in the tall grass. I was elated, a tough two days of hunting, and I closed the deal on a late morning gobbler. 2 for 2 in 2012!
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| April 17, 2012: 19 lbs 13 oz, 13/16" spurs, 9 9/16" beard |
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Public Land Turkey Hunt - April 2011
To follow in the spirit of "no pro" outdoors and the fact that we are everyday guys that make due with the land available, whether it be small tracts of private ground that hasn't been leased up yet, or the heavily pressured public land that we are privileged to hunt. The following story is from one of those public land adventures, I hope you all enjoy and can relate in one way or another how special it is when a hunt comes together like this one.
April 28, 2011:
It was almost strange to see the stars and the silver crescent of the moon as I stepped out into the cool night air and headed west to meet up with friend and fellow turkey hunting enthusiast Carl. We conversed about the season so far, our expectations of the day and as the miles rolled away, I began to think of what it really means to me to take on the challenge of hunting public ground. There are many reasons that I am so drawn to the situation, first and foremost in my situation it is a couple days annually for my buddy and I to "just hunt", no guiding, no worrying about getting someone on a bird, no cameras, no expectations, and no cares as to who shoots...just a couple of good friends that work well together in the turkey woods.
On top of that, is the challenge of birds that have seen and heard it all, the variable of other hunters, and where they will be also adds to the intensity of the situation. There is no good way for me to explain, I don't feel like a better hunter than other people when I kill a bird on public ground, but I have certainly become a better hunter because of the experiences in these places. There is almost an "extra" rush for me when working a bird with all these extra variables thrown in, and I feel as though every time we work a bird on public ground it requires...perfection. Not saying we ever achieve it, but you do have to be close just to have a chance. Throw out working a bird at all...and its just nice to see new scenery from time to time.
All those thoughts pouring through my head and the next thing I know we are standing in a familiar listening spot after a mile or two walk through the darkness and watching mother nature raise from a night of rest. As the darkness lets go, the woods comes alive, with the cardinals, robins, and occasional whipper will. There is always that anticipation of the first gobble of the morning, and today was no different, perhaps a little more with our surroundings. Finally a faint gobble found my ears and then another, and as we zeroed in on the gobbling, Carl informed me that he believed it was coming from the other side of the property...across a flooded creek bottom , a good walk back to the truck and 20 minute drive away! I trust his opinion more than any other turkey hunter I know, but every once in a while one of the birds gobbling...just seemed closer. As with any team, the best ones compliment each other and its no different with our "turkey team", finally compromising, we began walking to the back of the property, just to be sure.
We reached another good listening spot and to my dismay a gobble rang out and it was definitely across the creek out of reach from our position. I was kicking myself as I just cost us an extra 1/2 mile one way, but the thought was cut short as a gobble rang out from much closer! Ok game on I thought! We eased down a logging road and as we debated as to how far away he was he HAMMERED with a booming gobble approximately 200 yards away. We hurriedly set up on the edges of the logging road, as the bird HAMMERED two more times. As Carl touched the call, the bird hammered back with a thunderous double gobble and the game had officially started. We had a beautiful open timber flat off the edge of the road that stretched to the area where the bird was, a natural spot for him to come through. After a couple more gobbles , he went silent for a few moments and I was sure he was coming. Over the next 30 minutes, he did not come where he "should", bur rather gobbled his head off and began dropping down in a deep ravine and circling to our left.
We adjusted several times and then he went silent again and the next time he gobbled he was directly behind US! In the field we had just came from. We both eased around and started in on him again with some very subtle calling as the bird stood somewhere near the opening to the field or the mouth of the road we were on and gobbled his fool head off. Every few minutes he would absolutely shatter the timber with his gobbles. He would close the gap to where he sounded just around the bend, forcing my head down on the gun, but never showing himself. He would start to work off, gobbling, then he would come back to our calls...an ole cagey veteran that just wasn't going to close that final gap.
As he stood in the field gobbling, he even exchanged gobbles with a couple other birds, one of which seemed to be headed our way as well...I thought now we can close the deal. But he stayed put gobbling. At one point a distant shot rang out and he even gobbled at that. After what seemed like hours, his gobbles suddenly became very muffled and then disappeared. We regrouped and moved to the area he was in , when he gobbled again down in a deep ravine (explaining the sudden drop in volume) By this point the wind had started to pick up and we tried two more set ups and the last time I thought I heard him gobble he had gone about 270 degrees in a giant circle pattern. We made a game time decision, to back out and leave him until the next day. A solid 2 1/2 hour duel and he had the upper hand. Before moving on to the next spot, we studied the lay of the land and compared notes to get a peg on where we thought he came from and went.
The remainder of the day was uneventful, with high winds we never heard another gobble that we could confirm.
April 29, 2011:
Day 2, there was no question where we would be as I had heard this birds gobbles in my sleep that night. We headed right to the mouth of that road with a plan. If the bird was in the same spot we would drop Carl off into the field and I would set my dsd hen up at the corner of the field and road knowing he crossed right in that area. We stood and again watched the woods come alive. All the birds were singing, the woodducks were buzzing over head, even a few honkers announced their presence...yet the calm cool morning air was strangely void of gobbles. I mean ANY gobble, close or far. I shot a nervous glance at my buddy a couple times, checked my phone...5:45...nothing...6:00...nothing...I am starting to think, chit the birds are on the ground and we didn't hear a thing! 6:20 and we are talking about easing down the road when a gobble rings out from the same spot that bird was yesterday!!! I pointed and whispered there he is! Carl didn't hear him and even as I doubted myself, he gobbled again! There! Again, Carl didn't hear him, as I am describing where I heard it he gobbled again and this time Carl heard it. He was definitely on the ground and moving already! Carl dropped up the field as the bird hammered again and I scrambled to get the decoy set, and get my hide situated.
I grabbed a couple branches to help hide myself on the edge of the road as the bird let out another gobble, this one jolting me with the volume! I eased quickly into my hide but had to stand back up to adjust my seat when I hear a faint call coming from Carl's location and immediately a thunderous gobble as a response. Holy crap! I am standing up and this bird is COMING.!!! I dropped into my turkey seat and grabbed my gun as he gobbled again. My pulse went through the roof and my breathing started to go out of control. As I got the gun up Carl let out another quiet series and the bird absolutely blew our hats off just off the field edge.
HE was less than 100 yards out, and I suddenly realized how out of control I really was, this bird working and all those variables I mentioned earlier had my heart racing and I was breathing so hard I figured that bird might be able to hear me. I took a deep breath and just as I did I saw him! A white head bobbing up the edge of the field where he let out another huge gobble. I got down on the gun, and started cussing myself, how far is he, how far is that...why didn't I range it! He hammered again, and then periscoped his head and spotted the decoy....We rarely try decoys on public ground but I wanted to give it a whirl on this bird to see how these birds react to a dsd decoy which so far has been nothing short of amazing on my other hunts. He eyeballed the deke and started taking a few steps towards me!
At that point a calmness came over me, I knew he believed the decoy was real and he was relaxed, as he pecked at the ground a few times, paused, then gobbled again! I guessed him at 50 yards and decided I would let him come. We were in a perfect situation, he had to come around a ravine to get to me and if he skirted away from me he would be right in Carl's face! He took a few more steps and I eased the safety off. I beared down on the gun and just as I put pressure on the trigger he moved again, another deep breath as I tracked him till he stopped and looked again, again I put pressure on the trigger and at the last possible millisecond he twitched and took a couple more steps. I just KNEW he was gonna come to the decoy, but all at once it hit me. I picked up foot steps to my right and behind me, I thought about how hard we had to work and how at any moment some other hunter may come to this spot. As much as I wanted to let him come to the decoy, and even though I had already had pressure on the trigger, I suddenly had an urgency come over me, I settled the bead, and tracked him until he stopped raising his head again to look at the decoy, took a deep breath and BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The bird flew over backwards and began flopping, I jacked my empty out and as I started out in the field I saw Carl running across the field to get to my bird! He put his foot on its head as I ran out in the field and as we made eye contact I slid on one knee in the field and pumped my fist!!!! We were absolutely elated, fist pumping high fiving and going bonkers. Two grown men so shook up we were both visibly shaking from the adrenaline over flow! The kicker....it was 6:37 when I finally looked at the clock after hooting, hollering and pictures...we estimated he came 200 yards and to the gun in about 10 minutes. I ranged the shot after the fact, it was exactly 38 yards. A monster of a two year old bird 24 lbs on the nose, 10 3/4" beard, and 15/16" spurs. 64.25
Turned out I DID hear foot steps as a hunter came wandering out from that area as we were taking pictures. I have to say this one ranked right up there with the top few hunts of my life.
April 28, 2011:
It was almost strange to see the stars and the silver crescent of the moon as I stepped out into the cool night air and headed west to meet up with friend and fellow turkey hunting enthusiast Carl. We conversed about the season so far, our expectations of the day and as the miles rolled away, I began to think of what it really means to me to take on the challenge of hunting public ground. There are many reasons that I am so drawn to the situation, first and foremost in my situation it is a couple days annually for my buddy and I to "just hunt", no guiding, no worrying about getting someone on a bird, no cameras, no expectations, and no cares as to who shoots...just a couple of good friends that work well together in the turkey woods.
On top of that, is the challenge of birds that have seen and heard it all, the variable of other hunters, and where they will be also adds to the intensity of the situation. There is no good way for me to explain, I don't feel like a better hunter than other people when I kill a bird on public ground, but I have certainly become a better hunter because of the experiences in these places. There is almost an "extra" rush for me when working a bird with all these extra variables thrown in, and I feel as though every time we work a bird on public ground it requires...perfection. Not saying we ever achieve it, but you do have to be close just to have a chance. Throw out working a bird at all...and its just nice to see new scenery from time to time.
All those thoughts pouring through my head and the next thing I know we are standing in a familiar listening spot after a mile or two walk through the darkness and watching mother nature raise from a night of rest. As the darkness lets go, the woods comes alive, with the cardinals, robins, and occasional whipper will. There is always that anticipation of the first gobble of the morning, and today was no different, perhaps a little more with our surroundings. Finally a faint gobble found my ears and then another, and as we zeroed in on the gobbling, Carl informed me that he believed it was coming from the other side of the property...across a flooded creek bottom , a good walk back to the truck and 20 minute drive away! I trust his opinion more than any other turkey hunter I know, but every once in a while one of the birds gobbling...just seemed closer. As with any team, the best ones compliment each other and its no different with our "turkey team", finally compromising, we began walking to the back of the property, just to be sure.
We reached another good listening spot and to my dismay a gobble rang out and it was definitely across the creek out of reach from our position. I was kicking myself as I just cost us an extra 1/2 mile one way, but the thought was cut short as a gobble rang out from much closer! Ok game on I thought! We eased down a logging road and as we debated as to how far away he was he HAMMERED with a booming gobble approximately 200 yards away. We hurriedly set up on the edges of the logging road, as the bird HAMMERED two more times. As Carl touched the call, the bird hammered back with a thunderous double gobble and the game had officially started. We had a beautiful open timber flat off the edge of the road that stretched to the area where the bird was, a natural spot for him to come through. After a couple more gobbles , he went silent for a few moments and I was sure he was coming. Over the next 30 minutes, he did not come where he "should", bur rather gobbled his head off and began dropping down in a deep ravine and circling to our left.
We adjusted several times and then he went silent again and the next time he gobbled he was directly behind US! In the field we had just came from. We both eased around and started in on him again with some very subtle calling as the bird stood somewhere near the opening to the field or the mouth of the road we were on and gobbled his fool head off. Every few minutes he would absolutely shatter the timber with his gobbles. He would close the gap to where he sounded just around the bend, forcing my head down on the gun, but never showing himself. He would start to work off, gobbling, then he would come back to our calls...an ole cagey veteran that just wasn't going to close that final gap.
As he stood in the field gobbling, he even exchanged gobbles with a couple other birds, one of which seemed to be headed our way as well...I thought now we can close the deal. But he stayed put gobbling. At one point a distant shot rang out and he even gobbled at that. After what seemed like hours, his gobbles suddenly became very muffled and then disappeared. We regrouped and moved to the area he was in , when he gobbled again down in a deep ravine (explaining the sudden drop in volume) By this point the wind had started to pick up and we tried two more set ups and the last time I thought I heard him gobble he had gone about 270 degrees in a giant circle pattern. We made a game time decision, to back out and leave him until the next day. A solid 2 1/2 hour duel and he had the upper hand. Before moving on to the next spot, we studied the lay of the land and compared notes to get a peg on where we thought he came from and went.
The remainder of the day was uneventful, with high winds we never heard another gobble that we could confirm.
April 29, 2011:
Day 2, there was no question where we would be as I had heard this birds gobbles in my sleep that night. We headed right to the mouth of that road with a plan. If the bird was in the same spot we would drop Carl off into the field and I would set my dsd hen up at the corner of the field and road knowing he crossed right in that area. We stood and again watched the woods come alive. All the birds were singing, the woodducks were buzzing over head, even a few honkers announced their presence...yet the calm cool morning air was strangely void of gobbles. I mean ANY gobble, close or far. I shot a nervous glance at my buddy a couple times, checked my phone...5:45...nothing...6:00...nothing...I am starting to think, chit the birds are on the ground and we didn't hear a thing! 6:20 and we are talking about easing down the road when a gobble rings out from the same spot that bird was yesterday!!! I pointed and whispered there he is! Carl didn't hear him and even as I doubted myself, he gobbled again! There! Again, Carl didn't hear him, as I am describing where I heard it he gobbled again and this time Carl heard it. He was definitely on the ground and moving already! Carl dropped up the field as the bird hammered again and I scrambled to get the decoy set, and get my hide situated.
I grabbed a couple branches to help hide myself on the edge of the road as the bird let out another gobble, this one jolting me with the volume! I eased quickly into my hide but had to stand back up to adjust my seat when I hear a faint call coming from Carl's location and immediately a thunderous gobble as a response. Holy crap! I am standing up and this bird is COMING.!!! I dropped into my turkey seat and grabbed my gun as he gobbled again. My pulse went through the roof and my breathing started to go out of control. As I got the gun up Carl let out another quiet series and the bird absolutely blew our hats off just off the field edge.
HE was less than 100 yards out, and I suddenly realized how out of control I really was, this bird working and all those variables I mentioned earlier had my heart racing and I was breathing so hard I figured that bird might be able to hear me. I took a deep breath and just as I did I saw him! A white head bobbing up the edge of the field where he let out another huge gobble. I got down on the gun, and started cussing myself, how far is he, how far is that...why didn't I range it! He hammered again, and then periscoped his head and spotted the decoy....We rarely try decoys on public ground but I wanted to give it a whirl on this bird to see how these birds react to a dsd decoy which so far has been nothing short of amazing on my other hunts. He eyeballed the deke and started taking a few steps towards me!
At that point a calmness came over me, I knew he believed the decoy was real and he was relaxed, as he pecked at the ground a few times, paused, then gobbled again! I guessed him at 50 yards and decided I would let him come. We were in a perfect situation, he had to come around a ravine to get to me and if he skirted away from me he would be right in Carl's face! He took a few more steps and I eased the safety off. I beared down on the gun and just as I put pressure on the trigger he moved again, another deep breath as I tracked him till he stopped and looked again, again I put pressure on the trigger and at the last possible millisecond he twitched and took a couple more steps. I just KNEW he was gonna come to the decoy, but all at once it hit me. I picked up foot steps to my right and behind me, I thought about how hard we had to work and how at any moment some other hunter may come to this spot. As much as I wanted to let him come to the decoy, and even though I had already had pressure on the trigger, I suddenly had an urgency come over me, I settled the bead, and tracked him until he stopped raising his head again to look at the decoy, took a deep breath and BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The bird flew over backwards and began flopping, I jacked my empty out and as I started out in the field I saw Carl running across the field to get to my bird! He put his foot on its head as I ran out in the field and as we made eye contact I slid on one knee in the field and pumped my fist!!!! We were absolutely elated, fist pumping high fiving and going bonkers. Two grown men so shook up we were both visibly shaking from the adrenaline over flow! The kicker....it was 6:37 when I finally looked at the clock after hooting, hollering and pictures...we estimated he came 200 yards and to the gun in about 10 minutes. I ranged the shot after the fact, it was exactly 38 yards. A monster of a two year old bird 24 lbs on the nose, 10 3/4" beard, and 15/16" spurs. 64.25
Turned out I DID hear foot steps as a hunter came wandering out from that area as we were taking pictures. I have to say this one ranked right up there with the top few hunts of my life.
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| The author with his public land gobbler. |
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