I managed to get back out on Friday for a morning hunt and brought a couple Toms right behind me in a field that I don't have permission on and would not budge they gobbled and gobbled but would not commit. They were maybe 20 yards behind me but I couldn't see them because there are no windows in the rear of my blind. Eventually they headed off in the opposite direction. I figured my setup was not to their liking so when I got home I had a few coffees and did some research on late season tactics.
This morning I headed out a 4 am with my laying hen and feeding hen. I set up and settled in for my morning coffee waiting for the bush to come alive. Sure enough as yesterday the Tom started at day break. I made several calls from my box call and mixed it up with some slate calls. I heard the birds fly down and immediately started my way. Once again the Tom ended up right behind me kicking up quite a fuss but just like yesterday he started to head in the opposite direction. I decided to gobble once which was contrary to everything I had read but thought what's to lose. Well the Tom's started to get louder and louder until they were right behind me. I chatted back and forth with them but they would not cross the heavy bush line to the field I was set up on. And, believe it or not the birds started off in the opposite direction AGAIN.
Once again I gobbled once and back they came. I made a couple calls and boom to my left not more than 10 feet from my blind there he was. He surveyed the area for a minute or two and then started to my decoys. As he was starting to strutt and fan headed to my decoys two jakes appeared in the same spot following the Tom. At 22 yards (Oracle X is awesome) broadside I flipped the safety and sent my bolt down the rail. He jumped straight in the air and went maybe 5 yards and piled up.
Take care and stay safe all~!
Cheers
Chester
