JRS
Well-Known Member
Well after chasing birds all over 2000 acres, I finally busted one Sunday evening in Stewart County. We were heading back to the cabin and decided to go look a potential stand site for deer season. As we where walking we heard this bird gobble. After the first gobble he gobbled 3 or 4 times and I told my buddy lets go after him. We had encountered this kind of activity all day with no luck, but decided to try it one more time. Luckily there was a pine thicket that led to the hardwood bottom he was in. We slipped through the pines and made it to the edge and there he was strutting his stuff for the ladies. We could not decide how to get him in range and not get busted in the hardwoods. There was a storm brewing and I knew that we did not have much time to make a decision. I told my buddy lets try to make it to the deadfall that was about 10 yards out of the pines and set-up and call and see if he will leave the hens. I ranged him at 70 yards when we got settled and needed him to at least come 20 yards closer. We yelped a few times not thinking he would leave his girls but to my surprise he started our way!
The storm became more intense and it started pouring with lighting all around. We decided that we better get back to the truck. The bird had gotten to a point where would could not see him any more so we had no clue how close he was. I had ranged the last tree where I could see the bottom at 40 yards and knew that he had to at least be 40 yard or closer. We both eased up and sure enough there he was heading closer. One of the hens busted us and took off flying and he did not have a clue what was going on. He got nervous and started to take off but he did not get too far. One shot dropped in his tracks! Man both of us where pumped to say the least. Not the best pictures in the world because he was pretty soaked by the time we got back to the truck and so where we. Ended up being a beautiful evening after the storm passed and great way to end the day. Pictures where taken with my cell phone so they are not the best.
19lbs
9.5 inch beard
1 inch spurs
The storm became more intense and it started pouring with lighting all around. We decided that we better get back to the truck. The bird had gotten to a point where would could not see him any more so we had no clue how close he was. I had ranged the last tree where I could see the bottom at 40 yards and knew that he had to at least be 40 yard or closer. We both eased up and sure enough there he was heading closer. One of the hens busted us and took off flying and he did not have a clue what was going on. He got nervous and started to take off but he did not get too far. One shot dropped in his tracks! Man both of us where pumped to say the least. Not the best pictures in the world because he was pretty soaked by the time we got back to the truck and so where we. Ended up being a beautiful evening after the storm passed and great way to end the day. Pictures where taken with my cell phone so they are not the best.
19lbs
9.5 inch beard
1 inch spurs
