I did not have much time to scout this year so I went to a place I knew would be dry and quiet to get into. At first light there were birds gobbling all around. It was so quiet I could hear them arcoss the concession roads. I heard one sound off about 400-500 yards down the tree line from me. I had played this game before.
I made some tree yelps and did not know if he heard me or not. I was reluctant to yelp any louder until they flew down. Around 6:30 three hens flew down behind me and went to greet the big fella. Then he went quiet. At 7:30 I heard him gobble again. I thought he might now be done with his girlfriends and be ready to come for a look. I gave a short series of yelps and he sounded right back. I then stepped it up to some heavy cutting and he went nuts. He seemed to be hanging up for some reason.
I put the call down and only gave three to four yelps every 10 minutes to keep tabs on him. About 8:00 I could hear him getting closer. I readied the SX3 in his direction and shortly after I caught movement angling to my left. Great! I thought. 10 more yards and you are in the clear. When the bird cleared the brush I could see it was a hen. The big boy must be in tow, but where?
She then cut across in front of me at 5 yards. I couldn't move a muscle. Then he let out a thunderous gobble.
I don't know how I didn't jump out of my skin. I was watching her 5 yards in front of me and the big fella was only 10 yards to my right. My gun was still pointing left. This was going to be tough. 
I waited until the big boy was behind a tree and swung around. The hen caught me a started trotting straight away from me. I thought it was over becuase the gobbler did not come out the other side of the tree. Then he made his mistake. Instead of following the hen he stretched his neck out to look around the tree in my direction. I sent a load of Winchester X-tended #5s his way and he was down.
These birds seem to get heavier to haul out every year, or maybe I'm getting older
. It was a great morning and I could hear lots of shooting around the area. The population is doing just fine.I must have a lucky horse shoe hidden on me
. This was the fourth year in a row that I got a bird on the opener. I have taken 6 to date and all have been toms.Stats:
21lb 9oz
9in beard
7/8" spurs
Cheers! I must say, I like your tradition Unclefester!
