OK, I admit I've done my share of educating this bird. Since there aren't many birds in my area to hunt, and it seems like less this year than in recent years, I've been spending some days going after a gobbler I first tangled with last year and actually missed 2 times. I've acually named him the "Spring" Gobbler because his territory is next to a spring that comes out of the side of a mountain.

Yesterday, I decided I would go down to the spring area and set up some bobbing head decoys and call sparingly to let him know there were some hens in the area, and then let him come look for them. In looking over my notes from the last few years, I didn't expect any gobbling from the roost. To my surprise, as I was sneaking into position at 5:30 AM, he began to gobble about 100 yds. to the south of the spring. I set up within about 100 yds of him, setting out my hen and jake decoy, got all set as he was gobbling his head off, and when I figured he was ready to fly down, I just clucked, purred and yelped softly. He went nuts! I was determined to keep quiet and let him come looking. I've learned that he knows the hens in the area don't scream their heads off. Well, he proceeded to gobble in the same spot from 5:30 to 7:30. I did cluck and purr and scratch the leaves a few times, but he would not give an inch. After 2 hours of this, he headed directly away from me into the middle of some private property. I picked up and moved to where he had been and set up again. I then replayed what I had done earlier, but I never heard from him again.

So, what can I do to outsmart this educated bird? Should I try to get between him and the private property and not call, hoping to cut him off on his way over there. He does have a habit of going there every day. As you can tell, I need help. I did try to find another bird later in the morning Sat. toward the north, but did a lot of walking and got no answers. I returned to the same starting area at 11:45 just to see if he came back, and he answered me from the middle of the private property! I said, see ya later.

Help!!

Thanks,

Box Call