Turns out I was only half right, he was predictable for the general area but it still took some sweet talkin to coax him in, even at 715pm. Got there late, we got out and got our gear on and headed down the ridge. It is a long narrow holler with a field in the bottom and both ridges are wooded. He ALWAYS roosts on the far side, which is where we were off to. Get halfway across the field, and I look down in the faaaar end and see the turkey emerging from the neighbors land, BINGO they are coming. We had to crawl the rest of the way to the woods, but made it unseen. Sprinted halfway up the hill and set down against a huge cedar. I just KNEW they were headin down the ridge right at us, which is why I was shocked to hear him sound off on the OPPOSITE ridge where we parked. Pulled out the slate/glass call and got to purring, clucking, yelping, and generally just causing a ruckus. Got one of his hens riled up, and it was game on from there. In no time she had the whole crew steamin our way. They dissapeared into the woods, and I heard them cirle up around us, now closing the distance from above. The next time I hear a turkey sound off, it is less than 30 yards, JUST out of sight. Few quick clucks and I dropped the call and raised the gun. I next see a thin line move in the woods, and it puzzled the **** out of me on what it was until it turns sideways and reveals a full fan in full strut! I click off the safety and wait, both guns at the ready. 4 hens come storming over to see the intruder, only to find a vacant ridge side. They begin getting nervous as the tom is still just over the ridge where there is no clear head shot. The hens start retreating back, but finally the tom couldnt take it anymore. He broke strut and came to peep over while in half strut. To our surprise another gobbler head poked up to the left. We fired on 3 and both birds fell. Got over the hill to find my two year old tom as expected, but Dads turned out to be a jake. fine by him, he couldnt give a crap about killing turkey anyway, just goes to spend time with me.

Anyway, I had a bird dead within 5 minutes of shutting the truck door, and couldnt be happier. Gun kill so it dont count for this contest, but I still have another tag to burn with plenty of time. Here are some pics, enjoy!

9.75" beard, only 5/8" spurs, and 21 lb 11 oz. Decent tom, barring the tiny spurs.

Too bad my cameraman backed out last second and this hunt wasn't on film, he was kicking himself after I called him, but too little too late. Pictures turned out halfass as well, my camera is in TN at the moment, so I was stuck soaking wet with a less than willing Dad to get good pics, so these will have to do for now.







Turned out JUST under this in all actuality.