Osage Roost

All Hunting => The Ol' Skinnin' Shack => Topic started by: Blackfalcon on May 27, 2013, 01:44:28 PM

Title: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: Blackfalcon on May 27, 2013, 01:44:28 PM
(http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp66/dhodgkins/2013turkeys182.jpg) (http://s398.photobucket.com/user/dhodgkins/media/2013turkeys182.jpg.html)
I had a hard time falling asleep last night..usually a good sign for the next days hunt. I almost shot the alarm when it did go off..that's what usually happens when I get startled.
I stepped out the door with a cup of coffee..so windy it was difficult to hear much..the few gobbles I did hear were quickly blown away. I decided to stick with the plan, which was to hunt a nearby section and then to go to my next spot which I had hunted quite a bit last week.. in the rain.. and had a pretty good idea how the birds were moving through..previously past me.. and slightly out of range of the old Lefever.
The jalopy fired right up..and I was on my way..and made it to my intended destination. As soon as I stepped out I heard a hen yelping and further back a gobbler answered. I slipped into the woods and was soon leaning up against the most uncomfortable tree I could find..not on purpose..just worked out that way. The wind was doing a fine job of keeping the mosquitoes and black flies off their intended runway..most likely the bridge of my nose or forehead..it also made it hard to hear any gobbling.
A cluck or a putt to my right and slightly behind me I did hear and slowly turned my head to see a hen passing by...after a while I heard some yelps from the direction she had gone. I decided it was time to find a more comfortable place to sit and moved carefully in the direction she had gone. Soon I heard more yelping and some cutting and gobbling. I didn't dare push my luck and soon found a stub of an old tree shaped somewhat like a recliner, arms and all. I got comfortable and called..a gobbler answered and a hen started cutting, soon I could see her coming and a fan behind her. I didn't really want to call her right up and have her spot me in this somewhat open section so I stopped calling.
About this time I saw something move in from my right..a bobcat heading right for the turkeys. I could see turkeys, but I wanted a picture of the bobcat, so I picked up my camera..moving very slowly. The bobcat reversed direction and I was only able to get a couple of blurry shots as he cleared out rather quickly. My attention turned back to the turkeys and I could see several fans..so I sat and watched them chasing hens.. or each other.. through the hardwoods. A hen came up and laid down in a patch of sunlight not more than forty yards away..after a while she got up and headed down the hill and it got pretty quiet. I sat for a while longer and then noticed three gobblers strutting directly below me..
I picked up my call and tried them..they gobbled simultaneously so I poured it on..and then went quiet again. Presently the gobblers began filing my way through the hardwoods...closer and closer..one picked out something he didn't like and I knew it was time to make my move..one stepped out from behind a tree and the old Lefever dispatched him promptly. It was a fine hunt and definitely memorable.

I just wish I could have gotten a better shot of the bobcat!
(http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp66/dhodgkins/2013turkeys172.jpg) (http://s398.photobucket.com/user/dhodgkins/media/2013turkeys172.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: The Woodsman on May 27, 2013, 01:49:41 PM
BRAVO Dave!!

Denny
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: Gobbler Commander on May 27, 2013, 01:54:10 PM
BRAVO Dave!!

Denny

x2  Thank you Dave for posting ! I sure like to see them cats !
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: Ferguson on May 27, 2013, 01:55:01 PM
 *cool*
Nice morning *cheers*
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: hunter22 on May 27, 2013, 02:25:17 PM
I love your stories Dave. Congrats on another great hunt.
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: MadYelper on May 27, 2013, 05:12:54 PM
Cool story and pics! Congtats!  *up*
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: turkey stew on May 27, 2013, 05:27:44 PM
Congrats Dave on a fine hunt!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: letinmfly on May 27, 2013, 06:13:45 PM
Congrats Dave!!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: gonehuntin982 on May 27, 2013, 06:18:49 PM
Congrats Dave !!!!!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: fargobox on May 27, 2013, 06:26:41 PM
Dave, you always tell a great story and the pictures top it off and here again you have a wonderful job at both.  You have had a fine season by all accounts.
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: B-Ready on May 27, 2013, 07:13:13 PM
Very  *cool*.... Congrats Dave!!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: merocustomcalls on May 27, 2013, 10:32:32 PM
Way to go Dave!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: Silverspur on May 28, 2013, 03:18:52 AM
Congrats, that is awesome! *up*
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: 3CB on May 28, 2013, 03:43:27 AM
 *ride* *ride* Man I love a good turkey hunt!!!!!!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: oldschoolboxcalls on May 28, 2013, 07:16:41 AM
That is an amazing way to end the season. Congrats on a fine hunt.  *up* Wish Mass would give us Memorial Day as the last day of our season, especially with all that rain we had the last few days.
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: AlanKrow on May 28, 2013, 07:37:32 AM
Congrats Dave !!!!!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: Silverspur on May 28, 2013, 08:39:25 AM
A great season indeed, congrats!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: M Sharpe on May 29, 2013, 06:42:54 AM
Nice gobbler and pics Dave!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: JLCcalls on May 29, 2013, 09:06:48 PM
I enjoyed that almost as much as you did. *lol*
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: triune on May 29, 2013, 10:32:02 PM
Way to go Dave!
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: jmck on May 30, 2013, 10:55:08 AM
Congrats Dave
Title: Re: Memorial Day Gobbler
Post by: KPcalls on May 30, 2013, 02:03:34 PM
 Go ahead Dave....I'm sure you suffered through our southern kills early in the year.....now your killing me.... ;D  wish I had time and money I'd hit you up for a visit...