One stands out from last season. (Ok two, the second of which was misjuding the distance and missing at a tom walking. Twice. Didn't even spook him enough to run away. Doh!)

Anyway, second morning of the season. I had been scouting hard all spring. I knew this field where the toms loved to strut along the edge of the woods and had built a homemade blind along the woods edge. I had to work that morning so I could only stay out until around 7:45am. Shooting time starts around 6am. I hadn't heard much and was doing some blind calling every 15 minutes or so. Made my last call at 7am. I always wait at least 30-45 minutes after my last call before getting up to leave. 7:45, directly behind me through the woods GOOOOOOOOOBBBBBBBBBBLE! One time only. I clucked twice and got turned around. 30 seconds later a head appears to my right. He is coming down a path that leads straight toward the field where they LOVE to strut. Since he is to my right, I am kind of in an awkward position, but I have my gun up and ready. He goes behind a tree and when he steps out he will be at 30 yards. But now I start thinking. BAD, BAD, me! Never start thinking too much. Even though my gun is up and ready, I am kind of awkward. If I just wait until he comes down the path further toward the field where they LOVE to strut, he will be at 20 yards. Ooooooooooooo that will be so much better.

The tom steps out at 30 yards, takes a look for the hen, doesn't see her and promptly turns around and leaves.

Moral of the story. Never turn down a shot when you have one.