a Alabama first timer for a good friend

[jmck]

Here is one of those special hunts ya will never forget. I had the pleasure of taking a friend and hunter that works at Lexus on his quest to bag his first turkey. We went to his deer hunting grounds in Fort Payne Alabama, totally blind of the birds other than his deer hunting and seeing them some there. The ole boy surprised me, and we walked in very early, sat and hoped he was right on where he had heard them roost during deer season. The right time came and went and there were no turkey noises, so we owl'd and crow'd at em -still nothing. Then -right where he pointed, I heard a hen begin tree talking. They were there  !!! We got the hens excited and they were really hammering a Persimmon/Snakewood Watkins box, and my Limba/Persimmoin box. Then the ole boy sounded off. The only problem was ....he was on the other side of a sizable flock of hens that were cussing my calling. We kept on him and he was actually closing the distance. He actually walked right through those hens and came to us. He held up at 70 yds and we had his chest rattling gobbeling in our faces for what seemed like forever. Then 3 jakes emerged and came to 10-12 yds from us. The time we couldn't move on them allowed the ole bird to loose interest and saunder back to the flock of hens. We made the circle on them but just couldn't move the flock into range on the next pass they made when we moved ahead of their direction of travel. We chose to back out and re introduce ourselves to them the next morn, when we would move to the other side to attempt to sneak in between the hens and the roosted gobbler.  We sat up about 45 minutes before dawn and waited. To our surprise-this beautiful morn found not only the one gobbler--but two others in different directions. We must have wore em out on the boxes the day before , but the were really interested in a osage Corder pot, Ed Jenkins double sided pot and Anderson ceramic. This ole boy made his appearance into that pasture some 350 yds with 4 hens. He actually left the hens and closed the distance---Randy really saw a show all the way into the gun. He saw something that usually never works the right way--a gobbler with 4 hens leave them to come to calling from that far off. Here is Randy Hatfields first ever turkey...and was he proud and excited. It was a honor to watch his first from the passanger seat -congrats again Randy---you officially have the 'ILLNESS" and it was obvious.

[AlabamaDave]

Good going!...I love when a plan comes together.
Corders pots are killers!

[Silverspur]

Great story and congrats to Randy and his mentor and caller, snakeboots!

[B-Ready]

Great story Jeff. Congrats to your friend. You all made memories he'll never forget. Way to share the experience and getting him his first bird. I bet he swallowed the hook on turkey hunting. Hooked for life!! Congrats again!! 

[West Augusta]

Looks like a good time to me.  You better get Randy some decent boots though. 

[Nsselle]

Awesome Jeff!!! Good for both of you!

[GR8CALLS]

 Wish I could have been there to see it...sounds like a fantastic time. Congrats to Randy......he couldn't have had a better teacher.

 

Bill

[jmck]

sa Randy at work ths afternoon...he is still smiling--ya know"that look" ya have in your eye when ya know you have just experienced something that's REALLY HABIT FORMING....I think the boy is gonna forget about chasing those swamp donkies....

[Mmcdonald]

Awesome story!! What a great memory!! No cure for this sickness!!!!!!!

[Turkeybuster]

Good story Jeff that was certainly a great hunt and congrats. to Randy on his first bird.

Jon

[firedup]

Great hunt Jeff and some sure nuff life long memories there!

[fargobox]

Ole Randy had one of the best at his side, but he sure took advantage of it, super memories and another turkey slayer in Bama!  Congrats guys and a great story Jeff.

[TRKYHTR]

Good job Jeff.

Joe

[strutnrut]

Great story Jeff, Ol' Randy is toast now. No more sleeping during the Spring from now on for yet another turkey hunter.

[VGJ5]

Nice AL bird Jeff and Randy!