I have been blessed this spring to physically be able to chase the magnificant bird. I have taken 5 so far this spring but had my most exciting hunt so far this morning on a public land bird in Arkansas. The turkey numbers are down so much in Arkansas our Game & Fish folks do not know what to do. They closed our fall season and are now talking about closing or reducing the number of birds that can be taken to one. Sad when just five years ago if you knew anything about turkey hunting you could fill your two spring tags and have numerous turkey encounters while in the woods. Now if you just hear a bird you get excited. I wanted to share my morning hunt with you guys.
I went in the rain this morning. Got on a gobbling bird on the roost. He flew down and gobbled twice going away from me. The last gobble he was probably 400 yds away. I walked the direction he went and set up in a controlled burn area. I started calling using a Mincey Dogwood slate and a Steve Torman Dogwood striker and a Marlin Watkins Kwila over Poplar short box. I called for a while and heard turkeys purring and clucking. I saw three coming through some small oaks in front of me and they step out at 30 yds and are three jakes. They are really excited looking for the hen. They finally leave and I continue to call every 10 minutes or so for about an hour. I look over my right shoulder and standing behind me at 25 yards is a monster gobbler standing like a statue looking right at me. He came in silent without one gobble. There is not a blade of grass, bush, or anything between me and the bird. He is standing in the burned area and it is black on black with his red head gleaming. I reached down and clicked my safety off. My Benelli is facing forward. I knew the only chance I had was to turn and hope the bird paused long enough to give me a shot. Well, he ran just as soon as I started to raise my shotgun. He ran directly behind some trees away from me and I just could not get on him. This was my most exciting hunt this year. To fool that old monarch on public land was awesome. His beard looked like a rope. He was an old bird. It made me realize that calling them in is what it is all about. The kill is secondary. What a wonderful morning.
