Here is the story for this hunt...its a good one
I was close to the roost sitting in a thicket. There were 3 toms hammering off at a distance at first light in front of me.
2 to my right and one to my left. At least 200-300 yds. away. When they flew down the toms went quiet.
I had 3 hens roosted close to me so I could not make a move. Two of the hens walked right past me when they hit the ground. About 15 minutes later the Tom on my left and below me answered. He really got off on some loud cuts. We went back and forth for 20 minutes, he must of hammered at least 30 times. But he was hung up, he wanted me to come on down. I got aggressive as I could. It went quiet for a few moments, I cut again and he hammered back, but this time he came up even with me still 100 yds. away , no visual yet. We went back and forth, he must of hammered another 10+ more times. Great hung up again. It went quiet again, I just gave some I’m over her clucks, he clucked back. Five minutes past, still no visual. The ground was wet so I could not hear him walking. So I made a soft cut, OMG he hammered less than 10 yds. behind me. I thought my hat was going to blow off from him hammering so close. Then he started spitting and drumming, I still have no visual yet. Finally he moved in front of me, 10 yds. away.
That bird did a complete 360 around me….crazy!

Eastern
23lbs
Matching 1” spurs
10 ¾” beard