Normally I enjoy taking others out to kill a bird, but I went out this afternoon after work to see if I could get on a couple I have been watching. Today was only the second time this year I have been able to hunt this late in the day and I thought I might be able to catch them going to roost, if I couldn't call them in. I spotted 3 birds strutting with a large group of hens and called some, hoping to get one to break away. I got a few gobbles, but none of them wanted to leave the group. I decided I would sit up in a spot and try to intercept them going up the hill. I climbed off in a big cedar tree that had blown down in hopes that at least one of them would come within range. Around 6:30 a couple hens showed up out of nowhere and were very vocal while moving past me, catching the attention of the larger group. Closer to 6:45, they started making their way up the hill. The hens and 2 gobblers angled out around 30 yards so I figured I was going to get a shot on the Tom that I wanted. He and another were lagging behind and popped up right in front of me. I made a rookie mistake by having the gun in my lap. When I moved to pull up the gun, they both got curious and came closer to see what I was. I sat like a statue for a few minutes until they moved around me. I finally got to stand and took the first shot that presented itself. This bird went down and his partner stood and gobbled at 20 yards the whole time I was putting him over my shoulder. I wish Catman had been there to put the other one down as well. This guy was an even 23 pounds, had just a tad over a 9" beard and the longest spur was 1 3/8. His other spur was broken.
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