My dad and I went out early this morning to a new spot. We have been scouting some land and found some turkey sign.
We crossed some pastures and set up on a hedgerow between two fields. I set up the decoy( we named it Gretchen in honor of a friend's bird dog) and dad set up the blind. IT was around 5:15 , legal shooting time, when we heard some gobbling. There were at least three gobblers in the vicinity and one about 100 yards behind us. Since it was behind us, I would take the shot. Dad would shoot what would come to the right of us.
I let out some calls and got a response. Soon I saw the bobbing blue head .This bird was strutting and drumming as he approached our set up. It was quite impressive to hear the drumming. I raised the H&R 12 ga 3 1/2" magnum with a 2 oz load of #5's in his diretion. There was a tree limb and a pine sapling in the way. What seemed like an eternity he finally came to the opening. BLAM. The shot echoed across the field. Sort of a subdued sound, maybe as a result of the slight dip and impending rain, who knows. But he fell on the spot. I rean to get my prize and see the bird. I was happy. I knew that my dad was elated as well. I thanked God for such a gift and put my tag on his leg. I hauled him back to the blind.
About an hour later I heard another gobble. Soon enough a bigger bird emerged from a different spot. He entered the same little pasture as the previous bird was shot. I told my dad if this bird comes to the left, I'll take him. If he goes down the cart road in front of us, you take him.
It seemed that he was headed our way but then a hen crossed in front of us and that was that. No amount of calling, doing my best impression of the Mae West of Massachusetts turkeydom could make him come closer. Had he come another 10 feet a shot would have rang out. But I don't want to wound a bird with an iffy shot. I wasn't sure and decided against shooting. Anyways. This bird sort of went backwards and then went to the middle of the field where he strutted and drummed for a half hour.
Later we spotted a hen cross about 100 yards away and that was that. By 8:15 the day was pretty much done and it started to rain. It seems that the birds move together to a different area.
We had a great day and now some fresh wild turkey in the freezer.
A good question, if you don't mind, why would this bird go backwards after seeing a hen cross in front of us. I figured that he would have gotten closer. But no. He sort of went back to where he was then went to the left and began to strut and drum a hundred yards away.
