Like the title says, what a year. I have never had a season go THIS well. I had the 2-week private land hunt (Hemlock). After bellyaching because my wife scheduled our baby doctor appointment at 11AM opening day, i managed to find a small window of opportunity right when we got home and the rain stopped. Got back at around 1PM.
Long story short, after calling for about 20 minutes I finally got one to respond, probably 150 yards away. I turned the calling down. For whatever its worth I was using a Bully's "Grandma Hen" mouth call. From the sound of him gobbling, I thought he was hung up on some deep puddles, but after about 10 minutes he sounded off and i realized he was only about 75 yards now. Just as I expected he slipped in about 40 yards away looking for love. He strutted around picking his head up every so many steps looking for his girl. He got to about 25 yards and I tried about 2 times to cluck to get his head up and he wasnt cooperating. So i yelled "HEY!". Up his went, and down he went. He didnt move a muscle. My dad was with me, so that was cool to have him see that. After shooting by far my biggest bird last year (28.2#), i thought id never come close to that. Well, this one managed 25.4#, 10.5" beard. Obviously, very very happy with this one.
I immediately felt guilty that I should have gave the gun to my dad, who hasnt gotten a bird since 2003. We had the same season. So i enjoyed my last couple hours of excitement, then made it my goal to get him one...
The next week, we both had agreeing schedules and i told him to pick a time. I told him I dont care what time he wanted to go, because "I WILL get a bird in for you". He showed up at 8AM the next morning with Mcdonalds breakfast:D He claimed it was guide fees.:lol:
He told me he saw 2 nice birds strutting in the field probably 350 yards from where we hunt. I knew exactly what our game plan was going to be. I told him to be patient, because it might be a while before the hens leave those toms.
We got set up, nice and comfortable and concealed. I pulled out my Hooks "Executioner 2" mouth call and went to work. Five minutes later I got a response. At first it sounded like jakes, but after the next response I confirmed they were toms. I kept the calling "controlled", yet somewhat aggressive at the same time. I could just tell they had an interest and werent just gobbling for the heck of it. About 10 minutes later and about 250 yards away, i managed to see a tiny white object. His head. "There they are!" I was wrong...THEY left the hens. Not what i predicted.
I told him to get ready and have that gun up. They worked their way in and got about 50 yards before i lost sight even though I had a pretty darn good idea where they were going. I pulled my phone out and started recording. I gave a soft yelp to get them to give away their location. They did. Like I thought, they came in from the corner on our left, probably 25 yards away. I heard his safety go off. I asked him if he can get a shot then told him hold on because Im gonna get his head up for him. He wasnt waiting...he dropped it right there. I was excited as heck, he was more worried about his shoulder (I let him use my Mossberg 835).
After he got feeling back in his shoulder we finally got to see his long awaited trophy. He was a good one. 19#, 10" beard, 1" spurs. I never thought I could be more excited than when I get one. I was wrong. And i got it recorded on camera.
Two nice birds called in and shot, 2 separate days, total hunting time less than 1 hour.
Very happy hunter(s). Not sure if he wants his picture posted online, but here is mine.
His shoulder still hurts.
Hope everyone else's season is going well.
Long story short, after calling for about 20 minutes I finally got one to respond, probably 150 yards away. I turned the calling down. For whatever its worth I was using a Bully's "Grandma Hen" mouth call. From the sound of him gobbling, I thought he was hung up on some deep puddles, but after about 10 minutes he sounded off and i realized he was only about 75 yards now. Just as I expected he slipped in about 40 yards away looking for love. He strutted around picking his head up every so many steps looking for his girl. He got to about 25 yards and I tried about 2 times to cluck to get his head up and he wasnt cooperating. So i yelled "HEY!". Up his went, and down he went. He didnt move a muscle. My dad was with me, so that was cool to have him see that. After shooting by far my biggest bird last year (28.2#), i thought id never come close to that. Well, this one managed 25.4#, 10.5" beard. Obviously, very very happy with this one.
I immediately felt guilty that I should have gave the gun to my dad, who hasnt gotten a bird since 2003. We had the same season. So i enjoyed my last couple hours of excitement, then made it my goal to get him one...
The next week, we both had agreeing schedules and i told him to pick a time. I told him I dont care what time he wanted to go, because "I WILL get a bird in for you". He showed up at 8AM the next morning with Mcdonalds breakfast:D He claimed it was guide fees.:lol:
He told me he saw 2 nice birds strutting in the field probably 350 yards from where we hunt. I knew exactly what our game plan was going to be. I told him to be patient, because it might be a while before the hens leave those toms.
We got set up, nice and comfortable and concealed. I pulled out my Hooks "Executioner 2" mouth call and went to work. Five minutes later I got a response. At first it sounded like jakes, but after the next response I confirmed they were toms. I kept the calling "controlled", yet somewhat aggressive at the same time. I could just tell they had an interest and werent just gobbling for the heck of it. About 10 minutes later and about 250 yards away, i managed to see a tiny white object. His head. "There they are!" I was wrong...THEY left the hens. Not what i predicted.
I told him to get ready and have that gun up. They worked their way in and got about 50 yards before i lost sight even though I had a pretty darn good idea where they were going. I pulled my phone out and started recording. I gave a soft yelp to get them to give away their location. They did. Like I thought, they came in from the corner on our left, probably 25 yards away. I heard his safety go off. I asked him if he can get a shot then told him hold on because Im gonna get his head up for him. He wasnt waiting...he dropped it right there. I was excited as heck, he was more worried about his shoulder (I let him use my Mossberg 835).
After he got feeling back in his shoulder we finally got to see his long awaited trophy. He was a good one. 19#, 10" beard, 1" spurs. I never thought I could be more excited than when I get one. I was wrong. And i got it recorded on camera.
Two nice birds called in and shot, 2 separate days, total hunting time less than 1 hour.
Very happy hunter(s). Not sure if he wants his picture posted online, but here is mine.
His shoulder still hurts.
Hope everyone else's season is going well.
What a Year for me and Dad
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