We were in the bush well before light and got setup in and ambush spot where I had seen the birds travelling. At first light the gobbling began. They flew down and began strutting out of range. We gave a few soft calls and got good responses from the gobblers, but the real hens were not about to share, and led the gobblers away from us
.We went for a walk to try to cut them off, with no luck. We came back to the orginal spot around 9am and I could see a lone hen on a far off hill. I thought this spot would be a good afternoon setup to try to get them when they were coming back to the roost area, so I picked out a thick tree right in the roost area and began to trim some shooting lanes. Chris went off for a bit of a walk.
He came sneaking back about 15minutes later saying there were at least 4 turkeys in behind us at about 60yards. They were in the wide open and he wasen't sure if they saw him or not. We thought we would give them a try. My gun was lying on the ground about 20yards from where I was so Chris gave me his and he snuck over to grab mine and quickly find a spot.
We waited about 10minutes and then gave some soft calls. We got a response! We started yelping back and forth and the whole time they were gobbling. We went silent for a bit and then made some purrs and clucks. I caught movement coming in on my left. A gobbler at crusing speed. I couldn't believe my eyes (again). He got to within 10 yards and I clucked a few times with my voice, he skidded to a stop and I bowled him over.
That's when I saw more movement behind him about 20 yards. Three jakes came running in and began circling the dying tom. I was between the birds and Chris so I had to hold them long enough so he could get a clear shot. Again with no call at my disposal, I began clucking and yelping the best I could with my voice. They were gobbling and running back and forth. Finally one cleared to the right of me a Chris let loose.
The bird flew off and then started running and staggering. We followed it into the bush for 150 yards (trailing the feathers), but did not recover it. Looked for over an hour with no luck. He blames it on my gun
. It was about a 35yard shot but there was sparse brush in the way. Lots of pellet holes in the brush.A very exciting hunt. Just too bad we didn't get the double. If I had seen the jakes coming I would have let the tom pass for Chris to get a crack at, then I had a good position on the jakes. It all happened so fast, there wasen't much time to think about it.
The hunter, the bird, and the borrowed gun
.......
20lbs
3/4 inch spurs
10 inch beard
All tagged out now. I will be on camera and calling duty the next time we go out. Still can't believe the season is over in 4 days. Must be luck. I purchased my first tag on Friday the 13th and the guy was telling me that it was not a good idea. I disagree
.
