Hey Folks,
Awesome hunt to share....
We get out Sunday morning for the opener, had a few birds gobbling, made a few moves, Wes had a swing and a miss with the crossbow on a Jake, but nothing for our efforts for the morning....
So we head home for breakfast, have a rest/recharge, did a few chores around the house and a little before 3 Wes asks if we're going again? Never one to miss a chance to get outdoors with the boy, I'm in....So we head for a different plot of ground to scout it out...It's really rolling hills and unless you drive by and really watch, there's a chance you can miss seeing birds there quite easily....As it turns out, we're going by at just the right time, Wes didn't even see the bird, but I did....just out of the corner of my eye on the way by...
"There's a bird there Wes....not sure what, hen, Jake, Tom, I don't know, but what do you think?"
We move back up the road to get parked and move across the field and into the woods between the field we're in and the one the birds in....As we get closer to the field, I pull out our strutter decoy and set it in front of us until we get into position....The owner of the field has given us exclusive permission and the woods are so open I had no fear of using the decoy to cover our approach....We get within 10 yards of the field and I plant the strutter beside a tree and Wes and I get set up behind the tree....I give a couple of yelps with a box call, just to let the bird know they've got company. I'm looking into the field with my binos and there it turns out he is.....A nice beard, alone and looking for love....a couple more yelps and a gobble back, he's moving towards us....slowly, but moving....
I've got a little better vantage point than Wes, I suggest he put the crossbow down and we try the shotgun I'm carrying as I'm not sure this guy will come within range of the bow and given our earlier failure, I thought we need the confidence of the gun....
So Mr. bird gets closer and closer, slowly, gobbling now and then, I keep throwing the odd yelp out, just to let him know.....
As he moves across in front of us into an opening I'm asking Wes if he has the shot....He finally does, and he shoots....but the bird still stands there, I tell Wes, give him another, and Wes does....This time the birds down and flopping but I'm not sure if he's done.....
I sprint as fast as a 52 year old insurance guy can and tackle the bird which is semi running/flying in a confused daze...I think he was hit, but just not done yet.....I get his head under my boot and he's done.....
Wes comes out of the woods and I ask him "Why is Dad chasing down your bird?" He stands there in awe, he tells me that I was gone before he even comprehended what was happening and was wishing he had videoed the event.....Thankfully he didn't.....
Awesome hunt, awesome bird, what a great day in the field with my kid....Love that guy....
21 1/2 pounds, 10 inch beard, 1 1/4 spurs, just awesome,
TurkeyJohn
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