Smoke
Well-Known Member
Got set up and heard birds gobbling all over the place. Only had 1 fairly close but it was close to where my uncle had set up. Heard another bird closing the distance and then get quiet. He finally gobbled again right in front of me about 50 yds but he was just over the edge of the ridge. He never showed himself and turned around and walked off gobbling. Gave him some time and moved in towards where i last heard him and set up. He answered and started in and got quiet on me again. I knew he came in from all the chipmunks going crazy but never laid eyes on him. Got up and tried to move out in front of where i thought he went and heard him gobble across the hollar. Set up again and he gobbled going the other way. Went to the bottom of the ridge and made a big circle on him. Heard him gobble one way and another bird the other way. Got set up expecting the other bird to come in since the first one kept slipping by. Broke out the slate call and the diaphram and went to work sounding like 2 hens going back and forth. Heard something directly behind me and knew the bird that had been giving me the slip was right on top of me. Sat still and listened to him strutting around and then heard him start putting. Eased my head around and there he stood at 10 steps. He knew something wasnt right and kept walking back and forth putting. Every time his head went behind the little tree between me and him i would shift around to get ready for a left handed shot. He finally got behind the tree looking the other way long enough for me to get my gun up. As soon as his head came back out again i let him have it. 9 1/4" beard and 3/4" spurs. Smart bird for a youngster.
