Awesome!! sound like a great hunt. Congrats

congrats on the bird man!!!! i still have 31 days until my season comes around. WAY TO LONG!!!!

Awesome story Dan...and thanks for the call.

I had an awesome yesterday, but no shot.

I took the 75 yr old landowner out (that's our tradition for the first hunt of the year.) Hogs have rooted up all the chufas and sucked all the acorns off the ground, so the birds are as thick as in years prior. We set up in our normal spot and only heard one gobble at 7:11. Then about 7:30 I heard another bird. Bill had to leave at 8, so I moved across the field to into the shade and set the camera up. I was trying to film myself because I want to do an spiritual outdoors video for our church. Anyway, I sent some e-mails and texted some folks back and played a couple of card games on my phone while I waited.
Then I yelped. I heard a gobbler behind me at about 75 yards. I was excited and got the camera ready to film the field. I had a new primos killer b and 4 hen decoys out and was excited to film what I have witnessed so many times before.

I yelped again.

This time he was within 30 yards behind me. I thought, "Crap, what if he comes out right where I am?!!" So, I decided to be still and let him see the dekes. Then he started spitting and drumming. I could feel the drumming in my chest. He was practically breathing on the back of my neck. Wow! He ended up coming to the edge of the field just 10 feet to my right. (I am right handed and didn't think I could get the gun around and figured he would go stomp on my decoy anyway.) He stood there for what seemed like eternity (more like 1 minute) and then turned back into the woods never to be seen.

Now, here is the lesson. DON'T FILM YOURSELF if you want to kill the bird. If I had been just hunting, I would have already turned with my gun in that direction, but I was too concerned with the camera.

I don't regret my decision, because I WILL get another crack at more birds and I still had a great hunt, even without the kill. The video would have been great if he had come out into the field.

I'd say that has happened about 1 out of 4 times with dekes, but that's the risk I was willing to take.

I'm going again this Friday and will let you know how I do.

Congrats again, Dan.

Didn't hear a peep all morning. That's huntin'. It started raining at around 8:30 so I took off on a little run n gun. I was walking down one of our logging rds. and just coming to a turn in it when I ran into a little harem of birds. 2 gobblers and 9 hens. One of the gobblers was in full strut. The strutter was facing away from me and only 35 yds away and totally unaware that I was there. I shouldered my gun and even ****ed it. His buddies had already scurried down the rd. and I think he was in another world when he was strutting. He just stood up and looked dead at me for about 10-15 sec. I just couldn't make myself pull the trigger. I didn't feel right. He realized something wasn't rt. and hauled butt down the rd. after his buddies. I just stood there kind of shocked at what had just happened but I felt good about it. I hope I get a chance to go mano o mano with that crew in the morning. I must be getting old. lol He's a "real" nice bird.

mfd1027 sometimes it all about the experience LOL , you will get him next time. Received my call in the mail today sounds fantastic cant wait to try it out. Could be what i need to get my first bird with the recurve.

Thanks Again

Ed

Team 7 "Spur Collectors " 2010

I second that! I got the call in the mail too and I love it. Im not the best at it yet but it sounded much better compared to my other one I had. Dan, yours doesn't tickle my toungue like the other ones did..

Whew!. It was rough today. Windy and raining. I gave it the old college try til around noon but didn't hear a peep. Tommorrow looks better but Wed. is the day. lol

Dan

Opening day bird. OK. Now you guys know why I scare so many many birds off. lol

I think it must be the 'stache....that scars 'em off! Just kidding. Good bird and good calls man. I think you have found some affirmation on your mouth calls here. I would agree. I love the one you sent me.

Dan, congrats on the bird. Better start already...