Got home last night from a great trip to south central Tennessee with Randy Carswell.
Monday we just happened to be sitting outside this small field on the backside of the mountain resting my flat lander legs after chasing gobblers all morning. None of which would commit. We saw a hen in the field wandering down the fence line. Shortly a gobbler comes in the far corner struttin' about 200 yards away. We call him about half way up the hill until he sees the hen. Then its all over for the day.
Tuesday morning we get to the field earlier but he's already in the field. So, we hurriedly set up. Randy gets him within range, but I don't have a shot because of all the trees and brush. When he can't see a hen up in the trees, he decides to leave. We try to cut him off with a big circle up the ridge and back down in the field but he's gone when we get there. He definitely "owns" this field.
So, Wednesday, I set up my Pretty Boy and Girl in plain view of his entry point to the field which is the far corner about 200 yards away. About an hour later the hen comes in and then in struts the Boss. The hen disappears. About 10 yards into the field, he pauses and looks at the top of the hill and sees Pretty Boy. No struttin at the bottom of the hill this day. He makes his way up the hill with determination all puffed up....gets to a little drop off and circles around behind the decoy and on the other side of the privet bushes where I'm waiting. Randy has not touched the call so far. Boss starts struttin' and spittin'. Randy purrs on a slate a little and Boss decides to confront the intruder. He steps out from behind the privet at about 15 yards and eats a load of #6 HEVI shot. What a day!!!! What a hunt!!! Classic! and my first Eastern!!
He weighs 21 pounds, has an 11" beard and 1 1/8" spurs. Thanks to Randy and the Good Lord for a GREAT Hunt and Randy and Sharon for wonderful hospitality!!!!
