JRA
Well-Known Member
...with no shot fired.
Because of work and family obligations I have hunted the last 4 mornings and had to leave relatively early. This morning I got out of the truck and headed toward my listening spot. On the way there I hear a bird gobble on the roost. So instead of going all the way to my listening spot I take a left and walk down into the valley hoping he will pitch down to that area. As I pinpointed him I realized he was pretty much roosted right at my listening spot. If I would have continued that direction I would have set up right where he flew down (an open grass flat). Instead, I picked the wrong spot again. He went silent so I knew he flew down. I let out a hard yelp and he gobbles up in the grass flat. I jump up and start stalking to that spot. I'm going up the ridge opposite of where he is gobbling. From a distance (300 yards) I see him strutting. I think I have him. I am making my way in his direction when a hen shows up, walks toward him and off they go never to be seen again.
I keep picking the wrong set up spots and I don't have enough time to sit down and wait them out. Frustrating start to the season made all the more frustrating because I have a work conference next week that will prevent me from hunting for over a week.
Not trying to whine...I figure the others reading who have yet to kill a bird (like me) may get some comfort out of this...you're not alone.
Because of work and family obligations I have hunted the last 4 mornings and had to leave relatively early. This morning I got out of the truck and headed toward my listening spot. On the way there I hear a bird gobble on the roost. So instead of going all the way to my listening spot I take a left and walk down into the valley hoping he will pitch down to that area. As I pinpointed him I realized he was pretty much roosted right at my listening spot. If I would have continued that direction I would have set up right where he flew down (an open grass flat). Instead, I picked the wrong spot again. He went silent so I knew he flew down. I let out a hard yelp and he gobbles up in the grass flat. I jump up and start stalking to that spot. I'm going up the ridge opposite of where he is gobbling. From a distance (300 yards) I see him strutting. I think I have him. I am making my way in his direction when a hen shows up, walks toward him and off they go never to be seen again.
I keep picking the wrong set up spots and I don't have enough time to sit down and wait them out. Frustrating start to the season made all the more frustrating because I have a work conference next week that will prevent me from hunting for over a week.
Not trying to whine...I figure the others reading who have yet to kill a bird (like me) may get some comfort out of this...you're not alone.
