Tennessee Lead
Well-Known Member
Went to war this morning. When you walk that distance and maneuver that terrain you earn every second of joy that he brings. This wasn't the bird I had been battling most of the morning. I had found a roosted bird that I had to walk a long distance in some super steep terrain. He had the high ground on me for a long time and eventually he moved enough and gave me the high ground as I scurried to get above him.
At this point he was content on strutting and drumming the flat below me. I was able to catch a glimpse of his tail fan tips at one point. After several setups on him once he moved away enough I made a mad dash away from him and down on the flat with him. I never heard from him after that. I was able to fire up a different bird so far away that the gobbling was faint. This bird was across the Grand Canyon and on top of Mount Everest. Eventually the gobbles grew louder and I thought it might possibly come to my side. After awhile the silence became deafening. Needing to go to work I started to leave. I called one last time and he answered much closer.
This put me into hustling down the hillside to get closer to the bottom.
I found a good place to kill him on my terms and began to work him. He gobbled more and more and I could tell he was going to commit and cross the creek in the bottom. The chuckles in his gobble grew stronger and I heard that ole sound that will send the needle off the charts. PSSTTT VROOOOOMM. I saw him 40 yards full strut. Absolutely breathtaking. I am watching him as I eased my gun on his head and I see legs moving between us. A hen is in tow with him pecking the ground. I let her clear and he gave me a 30 yard shot that I abliged. It's now 8:35 as I put my hands on him and give thanks for the happiness he gifted me. These are the hunts that fuel the burning desire for more.
Tag #2 on morning hunt number 2 for me. The Original Jolley Scratch Tube has done its job once again.
At this point he was content on strutting and drumming the flat below me. I was able to catch a glimpse of his tail fan tips at one point. After several setups on him once he moved away enough I made a mad dash away from him and down on the flat with him. I never heard from him after that. I was able to fire up a different bird so far away that the gobbling was faint. This bird was across the Grand Canyon and on top of Mount Everest. Eventually the gobbles grew louder and I thought it might possibly come to my side. After awhile the silence became deafening. Needing to go to work I started to leave. I called one last time and he answered much closer.
This put me into hustling down the hillside to get closer to the bottom.
I found a good place to kill him on my terms and began to work him. He gobbled more and more and I could tell he was going to commit and cross the creek in the bottom. The chuckles in his gobble grew stronger and I heard that ole sound that will send the needle off the charts. PSSTTT VROOOOOMM. I saw him 40 yards full strut. Absolutely breathtaking. I am watching him as I eased my gun on his head and I see legs moving between us. A hen is in tow with him pecking the ground. I let her clear and he gave me a 30 yard shot that I abliged. It's now 8:35 as I put my hands on him and give thanks for the happiness he gifted me. These are the hunts that fuel the burning desire for more.
Tag #2 on morning hunt number 2 for me. The Original Jolley Scratch Tube has done its job once again.
