Re: Turkey hunters.
Two and a half weeks left in the season and it's not looking like I'm gonna be able to get out there again. I went out with a friend a few weeks ago but we didn't have much luck. It was our first time calling on our own and I got a couple talking but I've still got A LOT to learn about calling in a bird.
Since I doubt I'll have anything to post from this year, how about a couple shots of the one I bagged last year. Nice big bird, 10" beard with spurs just over an inch long.
This is my first and only turkey, but after the experience of hearing this guy come in to about 15 yds, drumming and gobbling his brains out... I can say for certain that he won't be the last. It was hands down, one of the coolest moments I've ever had in the woods. My dad was doing the calling and was getting some solid response, but he hung up about 300 yards out and just wouldn't bite. After about 15 minutes of talking smack with the him, pops decided to change it up. He grabbed a blade of grass, stretched it between his thumbs, and started squealing like a hen getting worked over by another bird and within seconds the Tom came running to us, full steam.
After the shot, Dad and I jumped up, high-fiving and stoaked. I took about 3 steps and looked down just in time to see Mr. no-shoulders coiled up right where my foot was about to land. A nice young 3.5-4' canebreak rattler. Needless to say, he came home with us too and with a little batter and hot oil, made a damn fine snack.
Couple that with the fact that earlier in the morning, when we were trying to call one down off the roost, a bobcat snuck in on us trying to find what was doing the calling. We spotted it at about 40 yards out and watched as it crept up to 8 FEET away from me. It was flehmening the whole way in and when it got to 8' away, just froze as it locked eyes with me. After what felt like a 5 minute stare down, the cat just turned and bounded off. It was unreal.
A couple more "glamor shots".
With a face only a mother could love.
Good luck y'all.