Well fellow beard chasers since its the off season I thought I would share some of my turkey hunt with yall! I read this forum almost everyday and yes the season started off very slow her also. (southern Ontario)
I took the first week of the season off from work, which was a dissapointment. The birds would gobble once or twice on the roost and then lock jaw. Possably henned up I' m not sure. Four different mornings that week I called in coyotes (two double and two single) maybe that was part of the reason I had silent birds.
I' m very lucky to be able to walk ten min. from my back door to hunt. This allows me to get out almost every morning before work. This can be a problem though when there is a bird coming to the call and you have slip away undetected to head off to work[:' (]
One morning about the end of the second week it all came together. While slipping silently over a winter wheat field in the predawn darkness a lonely gobble rang out. The excitment was instant, I quickened my pace and found place against a big old rock maple at the point of a 25 ac bush that followed along a ravine.
A few strokes of my slate call and the games had begun! This bird was hot and it didn' t take to much coaxing to keep his attention. The bird was roosted 150-200 yds away and I thought he would take the shortest route to me (along the ravine) WRONG. This character goes way out of his way to put on a show (and try to make me late for work) Mr. gobbler heads out to an adjacent field and spends the next 45 min. struting figure eights and double gobbling. Let me tell ya 45 min is along time when your watching Mr. long beard in full strut. Patiently I waited and periodaclly would cut on my mouth call. That sure would drive his temperture up.
Finally at 25yds I took my shot I think it was only a five min. walk to the house.
Stats 18.5lbs 9 inch beard 7/8 spurs and One happy hunter
I will try to inclued a photo, but I' m not sure I have never done this before

Congrats Millsy on the bird and aswell Welcome to the turkey forum. Join in and have fun. That was a great story of success.

What part of southern Ontario are ya from ??
...BT

Adrian I live in Lambton county between Sarnia and London. We were on holidays last month near Flesherton and took a day trip over to Creemore and up to Collingwood (the back roads of coarse) and let me tell ya I was very envious of the real estate you have up there to hunt.

Yes Millsy there is some nice areas around this area. Seems to be lots of corn coming up should be a good season next.
Glad to have ya aboard...BT

Another welcome here also Millsy!!Congrats on a fine gobbler too!!![8D]

welcome and thanks for sharing your hunt with us