Finally, A Decent Bird

RIStrutStopper · 05-24-2008, 11:35 AM

Checked out my favorite spot in CT today. I was psyched, had one gobbling on the roost when I got there. It was already starting to get a little light, and I had my game plan worked out. I was going to getdown hill fromthe roost tree between the gobbler and water. I was pretty sure I knew where he was gobbling from, but I blew it. I was off and almost walked right to the roost tree. Wierd thing, it sounded like he was putting from the tree so I backed off. Then I heard a fly-down and he hit the ground while I was setting up my dekes. I was just hoping that I spooked a hen and he was still where I thought he was, which would have been a good thing. Anyway, I proceeded to set-up and get settled in. After a few calls and no response, I feared the worst. I stayed put for a while, but heard nothing. After a 1.5 hour drive to get there and gas prices being what they are, I was kicking myself for blowing the morning.

Anyway, I figured if I spooked him, he'd probably head down to the stream and then work around to the other side of the property. Trying to salvage the morning, I hiked back up hill, around the back of the land owners house, thru the old cow pasture (they finally got rid of most of their cattle including that huge bull that used to make me nervous, lol). I set-up my dekes, settled in, and started calling softly. Nothing. Called a bit louder. Nothing. The property is pretty small, and once the birds cross the street to the swamp, chances aresmall that I'd see anything. Tried calling every few minutes not wanting to call too much. I figured the morning was shot after hearing nothing. I started dozing off in my cabelas turkey lounger, boy is that thing comfortable. I woke up to what I thought was a faint gobble coming from the direction of the conservation property a little further down. Tried calling again, no response. I dozed again, thought I heard a gobble again, but then I heard a yappy dog barking behind me. I'm thinking, did I dream that dog barking was a gobble? I wasnt in a deep sleep... Then, I definitely hear a faint gobble. Okay, I got a bird coming from the conservation property, probably a different bird than the one I bumped earlier. I heard him gobble a few more times, but still far away. I wasn't sure if he was responding to me or not, so I decided to close the distance.

I got up, grabbed my comfy chair, and decided to leave the dekes where they were. I moved about 50 yards to the top of a hill and set-up. I figured where I was, as soon as I see anything coming it would be in range, except for directly in front of me. If he came from in front, I'd have to wait til he got closer. I started some soft calling, heard nothing reply. Waited a few minutes, called again, and again no reply. I was still hopeful, and as I was getting ready to give him a few more soft clucks, I see his white head cresting the hill off to my left. I eased down the crystal and dropped my striker and got my gun ready. He took another step and went behind a tree.As soon as he stepped out, he stretched his neck and BAM! The 3.5" #6 Hevi-13's did their job! He weighed 21 pounds, had a 10.25 inch beard, and .75" spurs on both legs. Done by 6:30.

I should have known I would score today, my daughter is spending the weekend with friends and she borrowed the camera, lol. I grabbed a few pics from my wife's cell phone, I'll post one when photobucket remembers who I am. I'm having a little difficulty with them right now.