Well our fall season finally opened here in Ohio and I have been out a few times when I could pry myself out of my treestand . Last friday I called in a flock of 17 jakes and they nearly walked over my lap as I sat next to an old cedar tree . I have had a few toms tempt me awfully hard by strolling through in front of the gun , but I concentrate on filling my tag with a hen each fall so I just enjoyed each encounter . On sunday morning I made the trip to my hunting grounds and was accompanied by my friend Calen who is the president of our local NWTf chapter , The Miami Valley Gobblers Roost. We started this chapter together this year and just completed our banquet . We have been talking about getting out together for Calen's first ever , fall turkey hunt. The morning greeted us with a temperature of 33 degrees and very foggy . At first light I heard some distant yelping so I called back on one of my new boxcalls in box elder and sugar maple . The trees were filled with turkeys and they started singing back with yelping and cackling . We just looked at each other and grinned like Cheshire cats . Of course they had to act like turkeys and they flew down in opposite directions into picked fields . We followed one flock and skirted a field edge while soft calling . A group of 4 jakes answered back with gobbles and cackiling . We set up on this group and had them within about 75 yds of us before moving on . After a short lunch break at a local BBQ joint , we set up on a pasture edge and were ready for an afternoon vigil . It only took 30 minutes before I spotted a flock of 10 hens across the pasture . They clearly weren't interested in crossing the wide open space between us so when they got out of sight , we made a move on them . We crossed several hundred yds of pasture , crouched down and got on the opposite side of the cedar knoll that the flock was feeding on . It only took a few minutes after we set up , for the birds to come into view . Calen whispered " I have one" and I responded " Shoot " . I always enjoy watching a hunting partner be successful so I wanted Calen to get his bird . At the shot , the whole flock , minus one , took to the air . But two of the hens lighted back down right in front of my gun so I whipered to Calen "don't move" . Then quickly aimed and filled my tag with one shot from my Remington . After alot of back-patting and photos , we slung a pair of fall turkeys over our shoulders and made the walk of pride back to our vehicle . This was a great fall hunt and one I will remember a very long time . Thanks for listening !
Bob
