Pat_Ely

I know the older users have read this before but it is something that means alot to me and with the spring season approaching and it will be three years this year since this I thought I would share again.
I know the older users have read this but I finally have a picture of the bird that goes with the story.

It all started when My wife gave birth to my son on March 13th 2003.
Unfortunately he didn't survive. We had to make a decision whether to
cremate or bury him. We decided to have him cremated. Well, anyway I told
him as he passed in my arms that I would take him hunting. (sorry if this
offends anyone).
So here we go: It's 3am in the morning as the alarm clock goes off, it's been
a long week of hunting and it's the second Saturday of the Spring season. I
had been guiding all week and had called in many birds for my clients but
today was my day to hunt. I got dressed and put the canister with my son in
it in my breast pocket close to my heart. I woke up my brother law and told
him it was time to go. He got up and got dressed all the while we discussed
what bird we were going go to after. We decided on a bird that was out close
to an intersection of an old logging road. We put on our turkey vests and
started the long dark walk out to the spot.
Upon arriving at the spot I wanted to set up at, I put out my hen decoy,
picked a nice blow down to tuck into and a tree for him to lean against. It
was a beautifully quiet and calm morning. As the sun started to rise it just
made the walk all the worth while. About 15 minutes after the light broke I
heard him gobble on his own about 100 yards in front of us to the south. I
waited for him to gobble again and started my soft tree calls. As soon as I
started, he gobbled back at me and a hen started calling back about 60
yards to the west of me. ( you know that feeling you get when you know
you're where you're supposed to be :-) ) Well he gobbled for awhile and I just
hushed up. The hen got more and more excited as he gobbled. At about
6am I saw the hen fly down and heard the gobbler fly down. The hen started
calling to him pretty excitedly so I started mimicking her but getting a little
more excited than her. I could hear him coming towards her and saw her
walk out onto the logging road and just stand there as if to say here I am. I
stopped calling for about 15 minutes and just listened to him gobble at her. I
then could tell that he too had stepped out onto the logging road but was
just on the other side of a hill in the road. I watched as she perked up. I
started calling to him excitedly again and he responded with double and
triple gobbles. He then shut up but I could here the famous pfffffftttttt
drummmmmmmmmmm. I could hear him coming closer. I touched my
breast pocket and said to my boy it just doesn't get any better than this.
The First thing I saw was the Awesome fan coming up over the hill. Then he
stepped up over to show me his impressive beard and body size. He was
brilliantly colored with all the bronzes, reds, whites, and of course blues. I
watched him walk up to the hen and just strut like he was the king. I started
shaking with (I don't care who you are; you shake at a sight like that)
excitement. I kept calling to him and he kept strutting for me. He got with in
25 yards of me and hopped up on the bank of the road. I watched him for
awhile til I could get a clean shot at him. I took that special bird with one
clean shot. I walked over to that majestic bird and gave him thanks for being
there and giving his life for me and my son. I looked skyward and thanked
God for giving me such a gift. I spread some of my Son's ashes there where
the turkey laid since it was my son's bird and not mine.
I just wanted to share this with all of the turkey hunters, and I hope that
nobody is offended by my story, if you are I apologize to you. Thanks, Pat

Paul L Mohr

I can't seem to find anything wrong with that and I doubt anyone else that hunts would either.

I can think of less rational ways to grieve.

Congrats on a great hunt and I'm sorry for your loss.

Paul

SpurIA

It's hard forme to put into words what that story does to me. Just a awesome read. Thanks

whitetaildave24

I think that is totally awesome that you fulfilled your promise and I am sorry for your loss. That was a real emotional story to read and I appreciate you posting it again.

ShallowRio

Quite touch'n Pat, can't say that I'd do any different stand'n in your boots.[/align]

4patches

yes, we should never take life for granted. my sons name is hunter and he has been going in the woods since he was 4, whenever we can take a loved one into the woods it should be a majical event. keeping your promise to your son to bring him huntingis the most moveing thing i have ever heard , god bless you sir.

jalvja

Pat,What can I say my friend.I've read it every year that it's been posted and it still touches my heart.Bein a dad I know exactly where you're commin from.

gator123

Pat, thanks for posting it. As a newcomer to the board it was the first time I read it. A very touching and back to what is really important post. Truly sorry for your loss. Post it every year. Someone new will read it again.

maytom

Touching story Pat, thanks for sharing it.

Dixon

Very touching Pat. Excellent read.