I've been hunting a lot of places I've never hunted before this year, so it has been a challenging season, especially given the weather which has presented it's own challenges. I've also had a number of days where it has just been hard to sit still and think about recent events, however with acceptance comes some serenity, not quite there yet but on track.
I finally had a morning where it all came together and I harvested a fine gobbler. I worked this bird for about 2 and 1/2 hours, had a hen at one point helping me attract his attention until she came in to investigate. It was interesting how the hen changed her tone, and became submissive and came looking. At that point, I went quiet hoping the gobbler would wonder where the hens went, come to investigate for himself. Soon, I heard the spit and drum as the gobbler approached, I caught movement and spotted him at about forty yards. I eased the safety off and waited as he closed the gap. Soon he was fifteen yards away, and I rasied my gun when his head went down. It played out how I had hoped, and I took him at about ten yards, the Ole LeFever once again proved to be adequate.
I was using a Turpin Hen box I made recently,Alaskan Yellow Cedar with Zebra Wood lid, the Old Bulldog Mikey Special combo,lol, and both the gobbler and the hen liked it. When I hunt with this call, I feel like Ole Bulldog Mikey himself is along with me on my hunt, so thanks Mike for your friendship, prayers and encouragement!
This tom had a 9 1/2" thick beard, some broken off, 1 1/4+ sharp spurs, not sure of the weight yet but hope to weigh him later if I can find some scales
