yall have to hear this story...
one of my best friends Aubie---is a cattle farmer and loves to chase turkey birds. Aubie has had a HARD season so far--he's been busy trying to get his daughter a bird so he has not had time for himself. We went to Shelbyville Sunday with grand expectaions of a full day in the woods together.
We were on land we had never even seen, and the birds just wouldnt get hot. We gave it till around 3 and left for the 2 hr drive home.
We was checking cattle after he got home, when he saw a big ole gobbler strutting in a lower pasture of his. He glassed and decided to try to put the "SNEAK" on it as he calls it. He didnt have a face mase, or gloves and had to put on a camo shirt for the manuver....
He had to walk a creek around the bird to get into postion. He had a big oak picked and got to it. He saw the bird at 40 yds strutting in high hay grass. He chose to sneak in the grass to the next big oak that would put him at less than 30 yds. He belly crawled in 2" of water in the low spot to get to the tree. He made it and the tree was big enough he stood up behind it. Looked around the tree and the ole bird was strutting with his fan blocking his view. He was so proud of himself for the sneak he put on him.
He eased his gun around the tree and proped for the shot....he spoke out hello out loud to get the birds head up, and he pulled the trigger. Nothing, not even a snap. The bird went back into strut so he pulled his gun behing the tree to see what was wrong with his heart racing!!!
His gun was unloaded....he got in a hurry and didnt load or even carry any shells for the gun.

He slipped away embarressed