Well, it's been a great season that wrapped up for me on May 15th.
First two Toms this year were New Mexico Merriams, after
dreaming about that white fan all winter there is nothing
that gets my heart beating faster than actually seeing
one come over the top of a hill at about 65 yards with not
a twig in between us. That bird with down at 46 yards.
My other NM bird was much closer more like 25 yards.
Colorado didn't work out as well a lot of wind and snow
to send us dashing out of the high country on our last day
to hunt. Played with one bird there that hung up at about
100 yards and then suddenly remembered he had a prior
commitment on the other side of the mountain. Wyoming
was fun another nice Tom Merriam that took a long time
to come in from at least 1/2 mile out, this one I watch
strut back and forth at 34 yards behind some brush down
in a creek bottom for 5 minutes before he finally stuck
his head up in an open enough spot so I was sure the
shot would do the trick. Back in Maine I took a nice
Tom on day one in a power line after watching him strut
for 1 1/2 hours with 4 hens , called the hens in and he
came along behind, another 34 yard shot. My last
Tom of the year came on May 15th, after spending 7 mornings
chasing a frustrating Tom that would gobble to my calls
but not commit to the last few yards ( he was within 60-75
yards twice ) I needed for a shot, I decided to try another
bird that I played with some last spring. This time when I set
up and started calling a hen got excited and started talking
back to me and I was between the hen and the Tom---
talk about perfect ( luck ) anyway within ten minutes he was standing in front of me at 40 yards. He had 1 inch worn
down , rounded off spurs and a 13 1/2 inch beard my best
and last bird of a great season.