It happened this morning. And boy what a RUSH it was. Let me back up just a bit...
A day before opening Turkey Season (April 4), Paul (my father in law) and I went out to scout for turkeys, to watch their behavior and to see how the Toms and Hens are looking and moving this year. It was then that we knew we were in for a BIG Season. There was SO much activity that day that Paul thought there were other hunters in the woods with us! He has been hunting his entire life and had never experienced so much 'talking' before. It was exhilirating! It was this day that we first laid on eyes on The Godfather, Grandpa, Big Beard or whatever you want to call him. We knew he was a big bird and had a beard of between 91/2 and 10 inches! That should have just got you very excited...
So, we invited a friend of ours to go the following day, which would be the first day of Turkey Season. We talked up the hunt and told everyone how much activity there was this year. David was really excited about going. And so we went. And did not hear a SINGLE BIRD nor see any sort of movement! It was embarrasing actually... David never got to go back into the field. Work has gotten him nailed down.
It is amazing the difference one day can make. One day you will hear every animal in the woods and the next day you won't hear a stinkin' peep from a bird.
To make a long story short, we have been in the field the past 3 mornings and our persistence has finally paid off.
Monday, we went out. The turkeys were active, but they were hanging around Paul (since he was the one 'calling') and I could not shoot them because they were out of range. We had actually taken two guns this day. I had the 12 gauge shotgun and Paul had a rifle. We really wanted this Turkey and we were going double time for him. When the turkeys were around Paul, I was expecting him to shoot at any moment. He must have had at least 20 different shots. Finally when the turkeys meandered off, we both came out of the bushes. I said, 'Why didn't you shoot the Turkey?!?' Paul replied, 'Because I want you to shoot it.' Now THAT'S a hunter! One who passes up a Big Beard for his lowly son-in-law! Thanks Paul!!!
Tuesday, we went out. Paul and I actually switched positions because we thought the turkeys would have the same pattern as the day before. We were wrong! Not a single gobble or anything! 'It's a bad sign when you don't hear a gobble from the roost!' Paul Young.
Today, we went out. And we heard gobbles. Lots and Lots of them! Paul was back in his original spot and I was backed into some Cedars about 20 feet from him standing up. I am getting excited even telling you this story! People are missing out when they don't go Turkey Hunting!!!
We did hear lots of gobbles on the roost (which is a good sign). I knew when we heard the first gobble today that we were going to get Big Beard. I just knew...
And so it happened. Paul was working the 'Slate,' the 'Box Call,' and the 'Gobbler.' I saw 3 Toms from about 100 yards away. I couldn't see their beards or anything, I just saw them running and strutting at the sound of a hen wanting to be bred (which was actually Paul... kind of creepy. It is amazing how fooled men can become when they have 'breeding' on their mind).
And so they came. Big Beard was definitely dominate over the other two birds. We estimated that he would be a 3 year old bird. Two of the birds veered off and were about 50 yards away. Big Beard came in just a little bit closer. 30 yards was the perfect shot. 1 shot. 1 kill. And it was over! My heart was racing. I was shaking. It was Incredible!!!
We walked over to Big Beard to inspect him. He had a 9 3/4 inch beard. My birds beard from last year was 8 1/2 inches long. We were expecting to see 3/4 inch to an inch spur (spikes) on his legs, but there were not any. Come to find out, Big Beard is only a year old bird. He hadn't even started growing his spikes yet. The Spikes are used for fighting. Paul had never seen anything like it. There is some great breeding going on in those woods...
I got to completely clean the bird by myself. I breasted him and cut off his tail. Such a beautiful creation. Thank You Jesus...
I kept the tail, the beard, the feet and the breast meat. This is my second bird this season. I killed one last year and two this year. My first one this year was a Meat Kill. He had a 4 1/2 inch beard.
What a Blast...
1 comment:
Very nice bird! Thank you so much for sharing that experience with me. You are a pretty good writer, I could picture everything in my mind. Gobbler fever is intense! Happy hunt and thank the Lord for such a wonderful adventure in His creation.
Sampson
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