Well, although I didn't get to meet anyone new or hunt with anyone new, I think I've seen and learned more this season about the turkeys I hunt and the property I hunt them on than I have any other season.

The birds on my property are easy to pattern when you can find them lower on the mountain, before they head up and over into Idaho to breed. Well, after I had bagged my first bird of the season I decided to head out and try and get my second. (I had already helped my dad get both of his for this side of the state) I decided that i wanted to try and take one with my bow, no big deal, right? I know these birds. I know what they do, I know how they act, I know where they'll be. Wrong.

Sure enough, the morning we head out I know exactely wich field they're in, I know where I want to set up, and wouldn't you know it by 6:30 I have a flock of 5 toms in front of me at about 80 yards gobbling like their lives depend on it. I'm set up at the top of a hill. This hill is an alfalfa field that is owned by the brother of the farmer I work for. This is the first time I've set up here. As the sun starts to rise over the hill (over our backs) we're wondering why the turkeys aren't comming up to our set up. Well, turns out the turkeys couldn't see us due to the glare of the sun. They headed for a trail just off of the field and circled up behind us, decided they really didn't want to hook up with the hens and took off up a logging road.

Earlier that morning we had debated setting up on the logging road because it was in the trees, shaded, and had a bit more cover for me to draw my bow in. I said "No, i think the field will be safe, besides we might be able to see a good show." I was right, we did see a good show, and it lasted for about 45 minutes. I wasn't dissapointed at all.

Turns out these birds decided they didn't want to be patterned this year. One morning they were in the field. The next morning they were across the creek. The next morning they were across the field to our left. And the last day we found them back in the field again.

The last morning we were out I was lucky enough to watch 3 nice toms fighting. Boy, they really cause a racket when they fight!

Just a few of the things I learned this year, I hope everyone was as fortunate as I was to not only harvest a bird, but to learn about the birds they've been hunting as well.