First, sorry for such a long post but this turned out to be a very special hunt for me. So.....
I have been trying to get my Dad out to hunt abit all season. Usually he is gungho and has already taken a bird or 2 by now. But this year has been different. He has been facing some real serious health issues. The future mite be "not so good". And it has been hard for him. All year he has simply said he didn't feel like hunting. Well this week he called and said he mite like to go out Saturday. Which was the last day of our season. Needless to say, I told him that I would be there come ....or high water!
Believe me folks...spend time with your family and loved ones doing the things you love. DO NOT PUT IT OFF! I didn't figure we would get into much but I was game if he was.... He wanted to get out and try to roost one so we went to a property that is usually a fall hunt for us. Never have done much good there in the spring. But the Turkey Gods smiled on us. Got a chance to hear 2 birds gobble a time or 2 about fly up. The next morn found us sneaking round the ridge to try and set up on one of them. Man this bird started gobbling on his own early....and gobbled like it was early in the season. I got us in close and set Dad up in front with me a little to the rear. Got everything together, locked and loaded....and hit him with a couple soft clucks on a walnut and poplar box I had made this winter. I think he almost blew his head off gobbling!
Dad looked back toward me and I was a bit to far to tell but I think he winked. I could sure see the twinkle in his eye anyway!
I waited till he was on the ground and just as he gobbled I cut him off with a couple real hard clucks followed by 3-4 sweet yelps on the box. And then just layed the box down. The bird went wild! It was just too cool. We were set up on a grown up little roadway. Not much more than a deer path now, but you could hear him coming. Gobble, Gobble, Gobble, strut, a couple steps and then repeat the process. Finally I could see that old white head glowing...like a golf ball on steriods. Then the fan, twirling. He would break down gobble and then come abit more. I was getting kinda worried that old Dad wasn't gonna shoot but I guess he was just enjoying the show. He finally let that little 20 ga Bantam speak to him and it was all done. Man, Dad was excited, talking about showing him off to Mamaw (Mom) and the grandkids. Trying to get his picture and some other pics.....I must have gotten something in my eye there for a while, dust or tree pollen, cause it was really bothering me a bit. Had to turn away for a minute or 2 to get all composed and manly again. :wink: I am here to tell you that if I never have another hunt again. It was the best. I pray that his problems are overcome and he gets to experience the thrill of a spring turkey hunt again but if not....this was the way to end it. A perfect and classic spring turkey hunt. A nice bird with 1"+ spurs and a 10.5" beard. Here a few pics.
The road way the bird came in on
My hunting buddy and me
Dad and his spring bird
I asked Dad to give me his bet "Turkey Killer " pose and this is what I got!
