Well, I am just back about 1 hr ago. After my hunt with Bob, I traveled onward to Worthington Indiana for a 2 day hunt with a cousin who used to live in NY. We did get on some good birds, but the breeding season is definitely over there and they didn't want to work much. Came ever so close to getting in position yesterday am and found 3 toms and 4 jakes running together (evidence that breeding is over), but despite all we could do they had little interest.
The hunt with ole Bob was as good as it gets for sure. I was treated to his honey-hole and I felt priveliged. We had 4-5 hammering on our way to the blind, but after they hit the ground they went silent as many do. Bob was quick to point out that his experince proved that these gobblers love this particualr field, but not till late morning so patience would indeed prevail. We had a hen break the field early but she had no interest in our set up and thankfully so. I was exhausted from my long drive and 2 days of hunting leading up to my 7 drive to Bob's so I settled in for a bit of a nap. Suddenly after losing track of time, my trusty guide Bob Fulcher shook me awake and looie yonder...and precisely where he said they like to enter the field we had a red periscope rising from the edge at +- 150 yds. With the bino's I could confirm a young gobbler...seconds later a 2nd, then a 3rd AND THEN THE KING I believe the eyeballs on both hunters bust open wide..this ole Tom has without a dout the longest beard I have ever seen swaggering and he easily has 10 lbs on the other 3. Nonetheless, Bob and I were treated to a fabulous 20-30 minute show with front row seats of strutin & spinnin!! He is clearing the king with the other 3 his court. With some soft clucks, purrs and feeding sounds Bob and I managed to coax to gang ever closer until finally they committed...well at least one did. Seeing as I was excited I didn't argue with the guide who cleverly convinced me to take the lead bird when all the time both of us couldn't take our eyes off the bull strutter. Well as you can see all went well and that hog will roam again for Ole Bob another day. The short time spent with my friend was special, two callmakers and passionate hunters after the ultimate quarry. Memories forever and pictures to refresh.
Thanks Bob, surely looking forward to our next hunt.
