Here is my first gobbler at home this year . I heard this bird on the limb and set up close enough to call . I soft tree yelped to him and he responded well . But like turkeys do , he flew down the other way and gobbled every minute or so as he set off on a long journey across 4 ridges . Well I didn't want him to make that trek alone so I followed as close as I could by listening to the gobbles . Finally he reached a pature where he met up with three other toms and had a real gobble session . I clucked and purred on my longbox and I heard him cluck back . I raised my gun and waited as he clucked every few seconds as if saying " where are you" ?? When he walked into view I could see he sported a nice beard so I took my shot and my bird ran the other way ?? What ? I was about ready to trade my gun in when I happened to catch a glimpse of his tail fan stretched up about 60 yds away . I hurried to him only to find he was very expired and covered in blood . I'm still wonderin' how that bird ran that short ditance while dead on his feet ? Beard just over 10" and super thick like a paint brush , and spurs at 1 3/8" . Weighed in at 23 .5 lbs. Used my stepside longbox , Bill Barker slate , Stormin" Torman striker and Brian Mero death trumpet with Del Crowe lanyard !
Bob
