I shot this gobbler at 06:55 this morning. He was roosted over an old cypress pond. He gobbled about 3 times on the limb before he flew down on my side. He gobbled just once about 100 yards out in front of me when I yelped to him then he got quiet. I waited a while and made a few clucks and purrs and to my surprize heard the sound of a turkey spit and drum very close but behind me and to my right. He had walked down the edge of the pond and came up a hill behind me. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he passed by me at 30 yards out to my right. I couldn't move to get on him because there was very little cover in that direction and he was looking hard for that hen he heard. He finally moved on out of sight but I could still hear him drumming. I made a few clucks and purrs and raked the leaves a little. I saw him coming back making a little putt sound as he came. He stopped at 50 steps and I raked the leaves a few times and he came on in. I shot him when he stepped out from behind a pine tree at 34 steps with a 3 inch Winchester Supreme No 5. He weighed 17lbs 8oz. His beard was 9 1/2 inches long and his spurs were 7/8 inches long.

It takes a great deal of restraint, experience, and confidence to let a good turkey walk off like that after coming up on your blind side. You stayed patient and got him back. Congratulations. Well done.

Great bird and great story.
Chuck7

He is a purdy one alright!

Congratulations and good job.

Good job! Congrat's

great bird man!!... cant wait for openin day here

congrats on a nice looking turkey

Nice bird!! Great story and pics, congrats!

way to go, congrats!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.