Hey Team 3. We're off to a good start. Yesterday, I rolled my first gobbler on the slopes of Mauna Kea! Here's what I learned. Perseverance pays. I got him on the last day of my trip. I sat under a tree to wait & listen, and dozed off for an hour. A gobbler cut loose about 30yds down hill from me and woke me with an adrenaline taste in my mouth. I called a few times, no response. Through the bushes I saw a tom fan & strut at 80-90yds, fold up and start walking away. Another tom approached him, and they both started uphill towards me. When they went into a dry gully, I moved downhill another 10-15 yds. I never saw them come out, where I had expected them to, and stated to move downhill again. All of a sudden I caught sight of one at 40-45yds crossing between bushes. We had caught each other crossing between cover. I was standing in the open. I started to raise up my gun, and the first tom stepped behind the bushes. The second stepped out into the middle and stopped. He's not the biggest gobbler; 10" beard and 1 1/8" spurs, 17-18#, but still a beaut. I have pix, but don't know how to post them.
Thought I share the moment. Go Team 3!