Saved the best for last - Turkey Hunting - Turkey Hunting

Wow is all I can say. It’s been one of those seasons for me where everything went right, even with crappy windy weather for most of the spring. After Mike and I tagged out during our second season I hit the woods for seasons 4,5 & 6. Season 4 was miserable, the wind howled and the birds would not cooperate. I had my chance the 2nd day of the season when I called in a bird that was roosted only 70 yards from us. Pulled the trigger, rolled him and he got up and flew. I was dump founded, I could not believe I missed. Tried to regroup, and shake off the miss, but the birds were very tight lipped. Finally caught up with a Jake on Saturday evening as it was going to roost. Needed a new Jake fan for B-Mobile so I dropped him at about 15 feet.

Season 5 Mike invited me down to tag along with Tori and himself, so I bought an extra tag. Again, wind was a big factor as we were having a hard time hearing the birds. Even early morning, the wind was whipping pretty good. Had a hard time trying to find a valley where there wasn’t any wind. Was on a couple of birds on Friday but could not seal the deal. I also noticed that my front sight was very loose and wondered if that was contributed to the miss the week before. Got back to camp and tightened it down. Saturday morning came along, heard some gobbling down a ridge I hunted the evening before and took off after him. Didn’t happen, but had called in two Jakes that put on a show. Worked my way back up the ridge and was making my way over to Mike and Tori and set up on a field edge not too far from where I killed my second season Tom. About 5 minutes later I see two hens in the field. Gave a couple soft yelps and they started working there way towards me. The rain and wind started to pick up pretty good by now and noticed that the hens have company. A Tom is trailing behind them by about 50 yards. By the time he makes it to where I can shoot the hens are almost in my lap. Once he gave me an opportunity, I took it. Measurements were: 21 lbs, 1 inch spurs and 9 inch beard.

Six season started with perfect weather, cool in the morning and no wind. Got my daughter Danielle on a bird, had him closing in perfect when she had a coughing attack and the jig was up. She hasn’t been feeling well so I took her back home. Went out to do some weed control on my clover plot and kept hearing gobbles to the south. After I finished spraying the plot, I grabbed the gun and call and took off after him. Hit the call and he answers me. Get set up next to the field, called again and he’s on his way. About 20 minutes later I can hear him drumming. Shortly after that I finally see him strutting to me. He has a Jake with him and when he’s 35 yards out he has had enough of the Jake and runs him off. Two close calls for the day, was a pretty exciting morning.

This morning Danielle and I head back to where I had encounter the Tom from the previous day. I have her set up in the Covert Blind. Had gobbles right away this morning, but he went the other way. Had 3 Jakes and a hen show up, but that was it. Danielle still not feeling well decided to stay put in the blind while I went out to try and find the gobbler. Didn’t take me long to find him. He was about a 1/2 mile away strutting and gobbling for his girlfriend. He’s in a field and they are making their way towards an oak ridge. I went to the opposite side of the ridge to see if I could sneak in and call them to my location. Worked perfect. Once I hit the top of the ridge I called and he answered. Called again and got ready, the only problem was it was pretty thick and I could not see very far. I heard him drumming and he’s closing in, then all of sudden he went silent. Waited 20 minutes and did some soft calling…at that a coyote comes running down the ridge. Took a shot at him but not sure if I even touched him. Figured my hunt was over, I started back towards Danielle. Walked about 300 yards made a call and he fires back up for me. They are in the field where I first spotted them this morning. I carefully took my time working my way down the ridge. Once on the bottom hit the call and he answers me again. Bound and determined to kill this bird I took off my gear so I can belly crawl in to position. I am about 25 yards from the field and can hear him drumming but could not see him. I slowly stand up and catch a glimpse of his fan. I stood behind a small pine tree waiting to figure out what he’s going to do. He finally makes his move and instead of working the field edge towards me he comes in to the woods where I am set up and is working his way right to me. He is coming right at me and I can’t move to get in to a shooting position. I slowly raise the gun and wait him out. He gets to 10 yards and finally realizes that something isn’t right, but before he can bolt he eats some Winchester #5 turkey load. What a show and morning. His measurements are: 22 lbs, 1 7/16 inch spurs, 11 1/2 in beard. My first true limb hanger.

First pic is the Jake, Second pic is the 5 season tom and 3 – 5 pics are this mornings bird.