I've had pretty poor luck (or probably skill) thus far... and haven't killed a bird going on 3 years. This morning between rains I struck the call just to see if anything bit before firing the Atv and VERY surprisingly had gobbles pretty close to the house. I snuck down the hill and chirped once more and could tell I was within 150 yards. I crawled my decoy out to the crest of the hill and peaked over it to see some hens coming my way. I belly crawled backwards and posted up behind a big tree and my accomplice was posted up behind another. The decoy was hidden from me on the other side of the tree and I was watching for them to come up to it from downhill. I sat 10-12 minutes and they never came on over and never heard another peep. I decided to purr and had multiple gobbles, extremely close the second my striker hit the pot. I dropped the call and got ready. The hens came first and were circling into my lap. Eventually one saw me and they turned around and started easing away. I peaked around the tree knowing it was all over... only to see this dude 20 feet behind the tree right on my decoy. I swung the gun and he ran about 20ft then stood tall and stared me down. 835 laid into me then I saw the other Tom and Jake fly out that were also right beside me, unseen. Primary target bang flop. I've been to three different counties and walked a few miles. Finally Got it done at home[emoji1].
Hindsight, setting my decoy up behind the tree out of sight wasn't the best idea.
9-5/8" beard
1" spurs
20.2 pounds
835 with Mossberg xx-full extended choke
Remington Hevi-shot #6
Long poke, 22 yards [emoji1]
Hindsight, setting my decoy up behind the tree out of sight wasn't the best idea.
9-5/8" beard
1" spurs
20.2 pounds
835 with Mossberg xx-full extended choke
Remington Hevi-shot #6
Long poke, 22 yards [emoji1]
amazing how such a beautiful animal can be downright ugly when wet. Kinda like a cat I suppose 
