Got into the 'usual' spot at a romp and stomp, it was very still, very cool and we figured we'd run and gun a bit but would hold out in an area that always holds turkeys through at least an hour past sunrise.

About 45 min before sunrise a guy 300 or so yards away starts hooting terribly and gobbling at his own calls with a box call. About shooting hours another guy comes in pretty close to us. Flash lights at him, hoot, whist, cough, nothing. He sets up <100 yards from us and starts yelping at the fake gobbler. After 5 minutes or so of deliberation we hightail it. That whole situation is a new one to me.

Anyways, off to plan B, but have to divert b/c someone else decided it would be a good idea to set up on the main in/out walking road, had heard us coming, and started yelping. Not wanting to get shot, and to a lesser extent not wanting to be the one to (inevitably) ruin the other guy's setup (although I'm sure somebody had to), we beat through the jungle to an area I had luck at in the past and figured was devoid of pressure.

Set up a few past 9 (long walk), started 3 yelp sequences with a couple cuts, and at 9:30 I heard one waaay off w/ the use of walker game ear muffs (bud didn't hear that first gobble). Gave it a few minutes, yelped again, and he fired back closer (we both heard that one).

He came in right on a string, I figured my bud would have a slam dunk of a shot, but the bird skirted a bit and gave me a broadside window at ~38 yards after firing off at 60 and 45 yards (bud watched him gobble...it was close enough to have me shaking like a French soldier). He about puffed up to strut or gobble again, gave me a shot window, put his head up when I finalized my aim, and he went down stone cold.

Never fun getting jammed up on a hunt, but it worked out great and I got a better handle on new-ish ground. Had 3 more gobble in the area waaay out...may have to revisit that spot later in the season