I just got back last nite from opening week in North Carolina.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous, but the birds were unbelievably hushed mouth.
I called one big'un up for my buddy opening morning at 11:20 am and he missed @ 30yrds
.
I killed this descent bird on monday morning. Set up in a very steep mountain field, fired him up on the roost way up on the mountain above me with a Cherry/Black Limba long box from Tim Bullock, then switched over to my Cherry/Wormy Chestnut "Chain Ganger" short box. He walked a ridge down to about 300 yrds below me, and stepped out into the field. I gave him a cackle, and a few quick yelps, and the race was on. He came in running in a 3/4 strutt, would stop and spin around gobblin'. I've been turkey chasin' for 30+ years, have taken many, many ole longbeards, and I can honestly say this was one of the prettiest shows I have ever seen. I got so caught up in enjoying the show, I almost hated to shoot,----ALMOST!!!!!
I've killed a lot bigger birds, but have not enjoyed any more than this one. He's still a descent bird at over 20 lbs, 9" beard, and 1" spurs.
We hunted hard the rest of the week. I called in another one to within 40 yrds, but he was on a ridge, in a Beech thicket, and I would not take the shot.
A day or so later, my buddy finaly connected on a younger bird.
Timbo.
