As some others have stated earlier, “you wait all year to hunt these bad boys and it’s over before you know it.”
This year was an exception to the previous 4 in that; I had the privilege of introducing my 11-year-old nephew (Brock) and a friend of mine (Ben) to the sport of Turkey Hunting and join me in what has become a springtime passion.
The morning started slow, maybe 2 gobbles before sunrise and a handful the rest of the way out. If it wasn’t for the 6 deer that passed by at 40 yds around 7:30 and a lonely hen that came within 7 yds of the blind, it was pretty dull. I was beginning to get anxious, as opener will do that to a guy after several friends (Danny- my fishing partner, RVRAT & Wife, and COPPERTOP) all had birds down in the past few weeks. Including 2 of those w/ my new 870 Super Mag. Added to that, 2 rookies in the blind looking at me like, “Okay, when are we going to see something?” Needless to say but the pressure was beginning to mount.
So, around 8:00 I tell Ben and Brock that I’m going to check the field behind our set-up. I walk the 25 yds through the tree line and glass the field. I look to the left and see a hen and work my way to the right to see a “Tom” 250 yds out in the middle of 3 deer that were grazing. I watch a while to see which way he is heading and see he is going in the opposite direction. I’ve played this game before and didn’t even want to get started. I have a great set-up and was going to stick to my game plan.
Well, this didn’t last long. About 25 mins later, Ben said he’s going to check out the other field. It seems like he’s gone forever. I’m looking through the door of the blind and can’t see him. In the meantime a “Tom” and a hen come out onto the field we were hunting. I go get Ben and we settle in. Brock had been sleeping and is now up. “Finally!” I say to myself. My plan is coming together. As soon as we start going through the what-ifs, the “Tom” takes off running from the way the two came. I still don’t know what spooked them?
Anyway, Plan B is becoming a reality. We go after the other one on the field behind us. 20 mins later and 3 sweaty bodies no bird to be seen on what we thought would at least give us a chance. Back to the blind we go talking about possible set-ups for Sat. morning. I tell Ben to be patient and that 2-3:00 p.m. is a really good time for this field. He goes on to mention scenes in “Turkey Hunting Videos” and how they Run & Gun the whole time. I respond by saying “believe me, this is going to pay off.”
It’s now 9:20 and we are back to the original plan. As we sit for 10 mins or so when Ben asks, “who wants to be on look-out?” I said I will as he grabs his sweatshirt for a makeshift pillow. Ben didn’t have his head down for 3 minutes when I look to the left and see a “Tom” headed our way. The Long beard is about 80 yds out and strutting. I say “Tom coming.” And we all begin to watch him as he struts.
A minute later, Ben looks to the right and says there’s another bird on this side. I look over and it looks bigger then the one on the left. I turn my attention back to the one to our left. He’s 50 yds and closing. He reaches the stick I pushed in the ground at 40 yds and I continue to wait. He’s 30, 25, I slowly bring the gun up and squeeze the trigger. He goes straight up. Feathers are flying and when he comes down runs about 5 yds. I don’t have a shot and tell Ben, “Take him.” Ben fires and he’s down. A big high-five and a few pictures later we are back in the blind.
We’re excited. Plan A worked out and we are pumped. Not even 5 mins pass and Ben says, “TOM.” The other one came back onto the field and was coming our direction for a minute and turned around. He was sketchy about what had just happened and hung up about 200 yds away. I tried calling and nothing. It was so windy I don’t even know if he could here me call. Ben looks at me and said let’s go after him. I said sounds like a plan and told Brock to stay put and watch from the blind.
We both hustle down the opposite side of the tree line and within 2 mins are at the gap where tractors go through from field to field. Ben is using now using the 870 Super Mag and slowly turns the corner. I remember telling him to have the safety off and ready to shoot because the “Tom” would be gone before he knew it. Ben takes about 10 more steps, stops, and settles in. All I hear is “POW, he’s down!!”
We run over to look at the bird and give another high-five. Ben looks toward the blind and on the other side of the field there are 3 more “Toms” working their way toward the decoy. I would love to go on with the details but this would get way to long.
As you can see, what was the beginning of a horrible day turned into another page of the memory book. Two “Toms” down in 20-25 mins with a good friend and my 11-year-old nephew… priceless.
Remember; don’t forget to bring a kid out with you when you have a chance. It is a memory that will last the test of time.
Good Hunting!!
My Bird was 18# w/ 9” beard & ¾” spurs
Ben’s 1st bird ever: 19# w/ 11” beard & 1” spurs