No further than 35 yards, and ...

[PalsPal]

the old gentleman that I am desperately trying to get a bird this year could only see 2/3s of his head and neck and thought he would take a couple of more steps closer, so he didn't shoot. He didn't!

This was open field, and to his defense, we were sitting a little lower under the cedar tree. I had stood to use my binocs to see where he had gone, when I saw him coming straight to us from the middle of the field.

Oh well, I should have three more opportunities to make the hour and a half drive and try to seal the deal, so it isn't over yet.

 

[Roost 1]

Good luck.... I love hunting with the old timers.... I hunted with a guy that will soon be 77 this year, he about walked me to death!!! Lol

 

[Boll Weevil]

BEEN THERE! Work hard to get a bird in close for a very deserving person and click...no shell. Or no safety doesn't click at all and I'm screaming in my mind ...shoot man, shoot! Or (this was the worst)...no shot because he never even saw the silly bird. Or BOOOOOMMM and a miss.

But in the grand scheme of things I tend to remember these events the most...as do the recipients of said associated heart palpitations and shortness of breath.

 

[Gravey]

Good luck. I'm somewhat in the same boat but with the younger generation. My son is 12 and I'm trying to get him his second bird ever. Thought we had it Sunday afternoon and the bird went silent and came in directly behind us. Once he walked off we moved up to where he came looking and started calling again. A lone hen came to investigate and spooked at something. About that time the gobbler was 30 yards away but my son was behind a big tree and couldn't see him. He turned and followed the hen elsewhere.