Duckmastor2

Monday I went Turkey hunting in Cumberland Co. NJ for opening day of week
B. This is my 2nd season of Turkey hunting. Last year I only saw 1 hen
in 3 days of hunting. Hoping to at least see something this year. My
father got a 19 lb' er opening day of week A and is serving as ' Guide' this
week for me.

Anyhow, we arrive at the Pre-Scouted WMA at 5:15am only to find someone
else has beaten us to the area. Since this is the 1st time this has ever
happend, the old man had no plan B. I suggested we set up on the other
side of the property. We hunted there last year and there has always been
sign there. With no other option close by, thats what we did.

The blind made up of broken twigs and branches from last year was still
there when we arrived. In fact, it looked like someone had sat there the
prior week. Had the decoy out and was ready to go at 5:45am. My old man
15 yds behind me would be working the call. I could hunt until 10:15am and
still make it to work in the afternoon. Sunrise came and went with no
gobbles and all was quiet pretty much all morning. Looked at my watch at
10am and figured it was all over. Decided to sit until 10:15 though as
planned. Sure enough, 10:05 I see movement in the hollow infront of me. 2
Jakes came running for the decoy. They stopped about 3 feet from the
decoy, just staring at it. They were 15 yds away. I lined up on the lead
bird and was just about to pull the trigger, when I looked behind the Jakes
and see this huge fan of feathers heading for the decoy. A big Gobbler
with a hen leading the way was heading for the decoy. I decided he was
the bird I wanted.

The big boy came within 15 feet of the decoy and was about 20 yds away from
me and stopped,,, right behind a tree. He just stood there for 2 minutes
and would not move. The hen that came to the scene began to move away to
my left. Since the decoy was giving Gobbler Tom the cold shoulder, he
starts to follow. I now have 1 lane where I can get a clean shot if he
continues on his current path. Its a 30 yds shot. Longer than I' d like
for my old 20 ga, but the two full chokes and high brass loads should do
the job. He' s heading for the lane,,,, enters and just as the base of
his out-stretched neck meets the bead on my gun barrel, my father lets out
a soft purr with the call, the old bird pulls his neck back and fans out
just as I pull the trigger! Whap!, the shot clips the Breast feathers,
spins him 180 degrees and he takes off running. Runs about 80 yds, looks
around like " What the hell just happened?" and take off in a sprint the way
he came. Leaving behind a couple of feathers and me in disbelief.[:' (]

Looked real good to make sure there was no blood and my father went back
later on and checked real good again. Clean miss thank god. All I did
was educate him good. I didn' t even want to go again today but my
father really enjoys the guiding so I gave it another go. Its better than
the office. Upgraded to the Mossberg 835 12 ga Cannon too. I hate the gun
because its so big and cumbersome, but it' ll do the job better that the old
20ga. Went to a different area too. I didn' t see anything today and will
try one more time Friday.

This Turkey hunting is OK but bring on Archery Deer Season!