I am having an excellent spring. The previous post showed off some serious trout less than a week ago. In between fishing trips I have been turkey hunting like crazy. Has made for some very early mornings and some long afternoons. This morning I am happy to report that I stomped my biggest tom to date. So here's the story on it...I me my friend Ed on his property after discussing the options the night before. There has been birds out in his field in the afternoons and he has heard some gobbling in the evenings. The weather looked good for Saturday, So I told him I'd meet him in his driveway at 530 AM.
As expected, my alarm went off at 430. Eek.... I only got 4 hours of sleep due to a hot water heater issue. But if there is anything that gets me up in the morning, it is the opportunity to call in a gobbler and get a crack at him. I pulled on my tick-infested camo on and made the 25 minute trip. Ed was waiting in his driveway, and had already marked 5 different gobblers in different directions. We started down the edge of the woods towards one of the birds, when another went off, not but 100 yards or less to the left of us. We both stopped and were thinking the same thing- change of plans. We quickly head into the woods- it was getting light. I wanted to close the gap and get into a good position where we could see. He gobbled again. This time, he sounded way closer. We had no choice but to set up.
The setup was poor to start. we were uphill of the bird, and surrounded by way too much thick undergrowth. Not very good for us or for a tom- it was unlikely that he would cross thick brush to meet a hen, and even if he did, he'd be very close- likely would bust us. At this point, I let out a few calls to mark the bird and see if he'd respond. He was on the ground and gobbled twice. I sat quiet, but could hear where he was coming from. Bad setup got worse. I was certain he'd hang up. I decided to take a risk and move to the right, slightly up the hill and back into the clearing. There was a well used game trail, and if I had it my way, he'd strut right down it. Yeah right- they never do what you want them to do. I let out another call and he was right on the other side of the thick brush, about 35 yards or so. I was certain he couldn't see me so I eyeballed a tree where I wanted to be and crawled over there. My rustling must have excited him, because he gobbled.
Once I got into position, I set my gun on my left knee, put my head down and let out a soft yelp. He was on it. Double-gobbled. I knew then I didn't spook him off by my movements. I saw something moving straight ahead, and there was his tail fan- missing a few feathers, and confidently purring his way in. Full strut and coming -straight up the game trail! He stayed in full strut and once he was in full view, I knew I had to take him. He was at my elevation and would have expected to see a hen where I was located. I relaxed, took a breath, kept my head down and squeezed off a 3-1/2" magnum. He was down and scratching at the sky.
I leapt up and ran over to him where he lay. I tagged the bird and signaled Ed over. We admired the bird for a few minutes, his head still white hot, while we listened to a gobbler in the distance. After further inspection, I noticed he had a single 1-1/8" spur. The other one was missing and scarred over. He was a fighter. His beard was 9-1/2". Nice mature gobbler.
I dropped my gun and bird off at my truck so we could spend the rest of the morning trying to locate Ed a bird of his own. It wasn't meant to be today, but we'll be back at it this week. I love the interaction, calling and being in the spring woods. I'll call for anyone, any day, all day.
I'm thankful to have these opportunities- whether it is fishing, hunting, spending time in the woods, not catching or shooting anything. Good company, friends or family is good enough. But when it all comes together, it is a welcomed bonus.........and I have another tag to fill!
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