I sat in one spot from 6:00am to 9:50. The wind was howling, and I had every article of clothing on trying to stay warm and still. I made a deal with myself that I would sit until 10 before moving to another spot. It had been an uneventful morning and boredom was eating away at my stamina to stay put and a chill had settled into my bones.
The wind lulled and I called one more time. The empty woods exploded as a gobbler answered my call. The sudden action startled me and I was able to shift my gun to cover where the gobble had sounded from. Within a minute, he came into view and stood proudly looking at the decoys. Without another sound, he moved forward and skirted the edge of the decoys. He didn’t appear anxious to move closer, so when he craned his neck to look at the decoys again, I pulled the trigger and the gun thundered.
He flopped while I jumped from the base of the tree and willed my aching legs forward. I sunk to my knees next to my prey and couldn’t believe my luck. Things happen fast in the turkey woods and I said a prayer of thanks. Gathering my gear and decoys, I looped the turkey’s feet and head with a strand of paracord and slowly walked the two miles back to the truck. The sun shone brightly and it wasn’t long until the hike worked the cold out of my feet.
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Great job, Ben! Congrats. Just moved to the White Mountains from Colorado, and will be scouting to get ready for next year’s spring season. Hope to get together with you again next winter.
Thanks Jeff.
Congrats, Ben. Sweet.
Thanks Wayne.
Mr. Opening Day strikes again.