First off what a crazy life I've been leading... I'm sorry to not be on much.. heck any... but work and home life have me tied down
I'd finally had enough of work and I said.. I'm going hunting! We tried to get out a lot this weekend and we were just hammered with rain.. .we needed it so I'm not going to complain too much.
That being said, today was in the mid 40's here, so we thought... wow I bet the deer will be moving. I would have never guessed I'd have one of those days you wish you'd keep forever!
Morning started off with a distant tree yelp. As always on my first hunt of the season, I'm fumbling through my pack and realize... I left my boxes and pots at home where I placed them... place I put them to not forget them!!! I also realized I didn't bring trash bags, freezer bags, or several other necessary items for cleaning game (like a knife
).
So low and behold I did have my Hornstra trumpet. Figured what the heck it's better to play than not to do anything. I let out some subtle yelps and some clucks. The bird responded. After a few minutes, down he flew right in front of me. Startled me a bit (ok a lot) and I semi spooked him. He was well with in shotgun range, but it's archery season and I'd placed a 15 yard max shot in this setup for me. I watched as he alarm putted away and I decided to start calling aggressively. I clucked and yelped and all of a sudden ... I hear another bird yelping in the distance... 1 bird quickly became 4 birds. I'll admit I was not 100% sure the first bird wasn't a bearded hen... but when these 3 hit the ground.. I knew they were toms! So here I am watching 4 toms go at it. Fighting and cutting up. Of course they were walking away
I kept giving some soft clucks and yelps from time to time. I was hoping to grab their attention. They started leaving the field and I was thinking... what a hunt this was. I got to see 4 toms go at it and had a great morning. Then all of a sudden I hear more wings flapping. I watch two more pitch out of the trees. I'm sitting there thinking this one is awful low and there is a ... thump... fence... dang tom flew right into the fence. Now I'm not sure how many people get to see that daily, but I busted out laughing. I think the noise spooked the birds so much (him hitting the fence) that they ran over to him. I started calling and they were working their way toward me! Next thing I know, I made a quick count and 6 turned into 8 longbeards. Wow did that field all of a sudden erupt into coarse yelps! You could definitely tell 2 were much more mature birds and the rest were 2 year old birds. I was shocked none of them had any jake fans at all. They were all strutting and fighting. None of the birds wanted anything to do with the 2 older birds.
They worked their way down away from me and once again I thought it was over. I started calling really aggressive thinking.. what do you have to lose
This strategy worked as I caught a glimpse of a head. They were finally working toward me. I gave a few more soft clucks and I put my call down.
It seemed like forever before they closed the distance. 3 broke away from the rest and I was counting it down..30..25..20..15... oh yeah bow in hand and knocking my arrow... I knew they were about to step within 10 yards and I was having a hard time figuring out which one to shoot. They kept lining up side by side... finally this one stepped in front and I released the arrow. That oh so familiar thud happened as I saw the arrow go through. He tried to get off the ground and I realized both wings were broke. He ran 20 yards and expired. I set almost 30 minutes watching the other 7 beat the snot out of him. I put my bow down and saved my other tag for another day
Sometimes in your life... you just need days like today. I thanked God for a great and successful hunt and looked up and saw my grandpa smiling down on me! I said some words back to him thanking him for getting me started in a hobby that consumes me.
I'm not sure how this happens to me... I can smoke turkeys all day with my bow... but cannot connect with a deer
I was very lucky to have a great day like today! Sometimes a plan just comes through!
Here's the bird. Beard was right at 6.5", spurs were 3/4" and he weighed right at 22lbs. These birds were big and fat. They've been feeding off of the liquid feed for the cattle all summer. I love hunting farms with cattle on them. Not sure what I'd do without cattle
I'm so pumped to hit this farm this next Spring! Now it's off to find the hens and wreck havoc on them!
