Well the birds gobbled late yesterday, 6:50, and were on the ground by 7:10 before we could get in position. The game was now on. I led my daughter through thicker and thicker terrain in the swamp in hopes of getting to an opening to get a crack at Mr. Big but it was putting a whooping on her little legs, so we pulled out and set up on the hill. We coaxed a few hens out of the thicket to us but the bird we were after was not coming out of his safety zone. Plan B went into effect and struck up another bird around 11:00 and boy was he hot and lonely. We waded through the swamp with my youngen riding high on my shoulders and our gear barely getting damp but was able to call this bird within killing distance and of course he stays just behind a thicket left unseen. Every time he would drum you could hear the leaves shake and when he gobbled my youngen would smile. Finally a hen came from nowhere and took her boy toy away from the party. I explained to my daughter swamp birds ain’t easy and I consider them a trophy. But hunting is hunting and that is why we always buy a hunting license rather than a killing license. Hunted all day and made yet another great memory!
Sounds like a pretty successful hunt to me.
Did a little aggressive scouting this afternoon, mostly trying to work on my calling but brought my gun just in case. Found a few toms strutting but they wouldn’t call for anything. We’ve got a TON of hens so the toms are usually well taken care of. Got within about 120 yard stalking and calling then on my next stalk to get in range they disappeared. Decided to walk the woods some more and happened to flanked a group of about 6 turkeys. They were walking down a meandering road so when they turned a corner I got close and called. 2-3 curious hens chatted with me and rotated poking their heads around the corner to look for me. They got within about 40 yards but didn’t want to commit to turning the corner completely to find me. Having the sun at my back helped me stay hidden. It was a great experience because I got to hear hens cluck for about 10 minute at close range and work on my own calling.
First, Most, Biggest
Yes getting to communicate the turkey lingo is a fun experience, but for me of course is when my kids get to see the same things that you and I are seeing makes it that much more special since they get to imagine how that scenario went down by taking memories and computing their own interpretation with your encounter and then saying wow sounds like that too was a success story, minus the hammer dropping! Keep at it because it will get a little bit better after these hens start getting bred.
“If you can’t fix a woman, chase some tail with fins and fur!!!”
2008 Sea Pro 1900cc w/115
(2) Daughters that make the boys cry
(1) wife that makes her husband take the kids outdoors to chase their dreams!