.Was up at 4 a.m. and setup in my spot by 5:30 a.m. Not long after the woods came alive with a number of distant gobbles. Around 5:50 one sounded off right in behind me
. I figured he was only 80-100 yards away. It was still dark enough for me to scoot around the other side of the tree and get my blind repositioned. He continued to gobble sporadically for 10 minutes, then he got quiet. I figured he was listening for some ladies so I gave a few soft tree yelps to let him know I was there. He went bananas. I watched him fly down at 6:05. I slowly put the slate call down and got ready. He knew where I was, now it was his call. I could see him at 50 yards, strutting and then stretching his neck to look for this hen he heard. When he got to 30 yards he went behind a tree, and the safety came off.
When he cleared the tree he was in full strut. It was a sight to see. He closed the gap to 25 yards and stretched his neck again to look into the clearing behind me where the dekes were. I don't know if he ever saw the dekes because at that moment my Winchester roared to life, dusting off the winter cobb webs. The time was 6:08 a.m.
It all happened so fast and so perfect. I am completely convinced now that the opener is not a day to miss.
My fourth tom in four seasons of hunting and I'm thrilled with him.
22lbs
10 inch beard
1 inch spurs
Saw another fellow hunter on the way out.
These geese were fighting over this pond. Not a breath of wind to ripple the water.
. I just hope they don't get educated too quickly 
.