Well, Stefanie and I got up at dark-thirty this morning to try and get her a turkey one last time. We have gone an average of twice a week since the opener, when she missed a big guy late in the day (her 1st miss at turkeys or deer).
As most of you know this has been a really tough year and with exception of jakes (which she/we don't shoot), we've had little action on the longbeards. This morning was no different. Set-up in our usual spot about 100+ yds from the normal roost trees on an adjacent property. Grey light comes and nothing. I get a little morning aggressive calling and not a single gobble. Flydown comes and goes and not a single turkey is spotted. With this, we move into more of the center of the property. Finally in the distance, I hear a gobble, then another. I call back and silence. After about an hour, I decide to move again. This time up the hill above the property and above a known game trail that they like to use.
As we're sitting there, Stef says, "Did you hear that gobble"?....Nope....But now we're on high alert (or at least she was). The Dave Smith decoys are down below us and off to the right of the trail. Since, we were in a spot the birds like to sneak in on. I decided not to call anymore. 30 minutes go by and Stefanie says, "Here they come daddy". Well, daddy had dozed off (some guide.....lol) and I never heard a thing until I hear a "putt putt". I open my eyes and 20 yards in front of us is a jake putting at the decoys and a big old "long" standing there casually. I am now fully aware of the situation and am watching Stef, who is to my right. She slowly raises her gun, takes off the safety, gets down on the stock, and fires....No miss this time big guy!....Pretty much center punches him.....lol
I'm sure you could hear us yelping all the way to Escondido.....lol.....Beautiful 3 year old tom.....21-2 lbs, 10 1/8" beard, and sharp 1" spurs.....I swear it doesn't get any better than this.....I need a nap.....lol
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As most of you know this has been a really tough year and with exception of jakes (which she/we don't shoot), we've had little action on the longbeards. This morning was no different. Set-up in our usual spot about 100+ yds from the normal roost trees on an adjacent property. Grey light comes and nothing. I get a little morning aggressive calling and not a single gobble. Flydown comes and goes and not a single turkey is spotted. With this, we move into more of the center of the property. Finally in the distance, I hear a gobble, then another. I call back and silence. After about an hour, I decide to move again. This time up the hill above the property and above a known game trail that they like to use.
As we're sitting there, Stef says, "Did you hear that gobble"?....Nope....But now we're on high alert (or at least she was). The Dave Smith decoys are down below us and off to the right of the trail. Since, we were in a spot the birds like to sneak in on. I decided not to call anymore. 30 minutes go by and Stefanie says, "Here they come daddy". Well, daddy had dozed off (some guide.....lol) and I never heard a thing until I hear a "putt putt". I open my eyes and 20 yards in front of us is a jake putting at the decoys and a big old "long" standing there casually. I am now fully aware of the situation and am watching Stef, who is to my right. She slowly raises her gun, takes off the safety, gets down on the stock, and fires....No miss this time big guy!....Pretty much center punches him.....lol
I'm sure you could hear us yelping all the way to Escondido.....lol.....Beautiful 3 year old tom.....21-2 lbs, 10 1/8" beard, and sharp 1" spurs.....I swear it doesn't get any better than this.....I need a nap.....lol
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