I got to the spot I usually hunt and see a truck already parked there. I was just a few minutes behind him as it turned out as I could still see his cap light walking down the road. I parked beside him and started off in a different direction down the main road. I had gotten a little ways when my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Benhuntin wondering where I was hunting this year. When I told him he said that I must have been the person that had parked beside him and graciously invited me to come up and hunt with him. I said I'll see you in a few. We and live owls gave it heck for a little bit, but the gobblers Dave had heard earlier in the week were silent. I gave it one last loud call with a hooter I got from Andy Kaiser and boom, 1 of them gave up their position. I told Dave that since he had invited me to hunt with him he could lead the way. We hooted again once we got into the woods to get another bearing and he gobbled right back. Dave and I moved into positions. There was a huge log that had fallen. Dave was 30 yards or so on the right side, an I was about the same on the left. We waited a little for everything to settle, and I heard Dave give a light tree call or two. I waited just a little bit and gave him a little also. He gobbled a few more times and a hen started lightly talking as well. We had set up around 40-50 yards from them. We couldn't see him, but could clearly see which tree he was in. The hen pitched out and he pitched out a few seconds later. The birds pitched out the left of the log. I could see him strutting back and forth for the hen that was there. I clucked on a trumpet a couple of times and he broke strut and came about ten yard and drummed and strutted again for just a little bit. I could see him pretty well in some open holes. He had a full fan and was a longbeard. He stopped strutting and looked up over a fern bush for me. He gave me a great look and he died at 29-30 steps. The twenty ga. strikes again. He hit so hard I couldn't see him because he was in a little depression. Dave said "Did you get him?" I was walking to the bird and finally saw him. I told him I had and the celebrating began. This was the first bird I had ever killed in the refuge. I had came close several times. These birds are usually tight lipped, sneaky so an so's and a lot of fun to hunt. I apologize for the long post. Thanks again Dave for inviting me to come up and hunt with you. I really appreciate it. Maybe next year I can return the favor.
Rick
