Osage Roost

All Hunting => The Ol' Skinnin' Shack => Topic started by: labman on May 21, 2010, 09:37:25 AM

Title: Done for the year...
Post by: labman on May 21, 2010, 09:37:25 AM
Today was going to be my last hunt of the year.  My wife is working this weekend, then I'm on the night shift before we go on holidays.  By the time we are to get back the season will be done.

The hunting has been very tough this year, with hardly any gobbling, and I haven't even seen the usual field birds strutting there stuff through-out the day.

I went to a nice hardwood forest with a river valley running through it today.  Beside the forest is an old corn field, and when I got there in the pre-dawn, I hooted and got a response from the far side of the field.  I crossed to the bird, but with the terrain, and my stupidity, I ended up too close to the bird, and I'm sure he seen me.  When he flew down, he quickly went the opposite way   *cry*

By this time, there is a few birds just hammering away back the way I came.  I re-crossed the field, and slipped into the woods, sent out a yelp with my box call and got a response just over the edge of the ridge I was on.  I switched to the trumpet and he answered.  Some where along the way, I was putting my trumpet to my mouth while he was looking at me from just over the edge of the hill, and I was busted.

There was still a bird gobbling to my right a ways, so I went back to the field, and made my way towards him.  I slipped into the woods and yelped with the box, and got a response.

The woods were very open here, and I could see him strutting from at least 150 yards away.

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll171/Newman-072/IMG_1170.jpg)

This is the spot- by now you usually can't see more than 20 yards, because the undergrowth is so thick.

I switched to the trumpet, and kept him coming with light yelps and clucks.  I could hear him drumming from pretty far away, and my gun was trained on him.  When he got to about 30 yards, he was partially blocked by a big oak.  I moved my gun about 4 inches, and I guess he saw me, because he came out of strut and did the wing adjust thing, and took two steps away.  He also took two steps to the right- into the open  *bannana*

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll171/Newman-072/IMG_1169-1.jpg)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll171/Newman-072/IMG_1172-1.jpg)

21 lbs
10 inch, thick beard
spurs 7/8 and 1 inch

Well now instead of having tags left over, but no days to hunt, I have no tags but still days left in the season.
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: wiltznucs on May 21, 2010, 09:48:07 AM
Congrats!
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: Shadetree Callers on May 21, 2010, 10:25:22 AM
Great job bringing in the last bird of the year !! *up*
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: Silverspur on May 21, 2010, 10:38:06 AM
That's a great gobbler there and fine looking trumpet call...congrats on a great morning hunt!   What state did you take him in? *up*
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: SS Custom Calls on May 21, 2010, 10:54:06 AM
Congrats on a fine bird! Thanks for sharing the story!

 Al
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: KPcalls on May 21, 2010, 11:01:01 AM
 Congrats, Jason....  RkLu     I can't beleive you were going to let her drag you off during turkey season again this year....Glad you got your birds.  I enjoyed both stories.
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: superstrutter on May 21, 2010, 12:04:10 PM
That's the way to take care of business! Congrats! *up*
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: J R Hunt Camp on May 21, 2010, 01:08:58 PM

... fine hunt, fine gobbler, & a fine caller - congrats on a great way to close out the season ... 8) 8) 8)

Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: letinmfly on May 21, 2010, 01:22:07 PM
Congrats.  *up*
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: Bulldogmikey on May 21, 2010, 01:40:34 PM
Great story and great bird, Congratulations.

Mike
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: John from NY on May 21, 2010, 01:50:57 PM
Congrats on a great bird and story.  *up* *up*
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: labman on May 21, 2010, 04:09:17 PM
 What state did you take him in? *up*

The 51st state- Ontario Canada  ;D
Title: Re: Done for the year...
Post by: Porter on May 24, 2010, 08:56:36 AM
Great story and congrats on a nice bird!