Every year one of my goals is to help my 74 yr old dad to kill turkeys. He has had some great last few years hunting by himself.
This year has been tough. He has had few real chances. Added hindrance is his days have been limited with a part time job he is doing.
Then last weekend he reminds me that Friday (today) is his last day before he and his wife go to Florida for 10 days.
Had no luck early week. I took off yesterday and we went to mid tn. Birds weren't where we expected and didn't want to play. I ended up killing later one after we split up, and he was happy but I could tell it was eating at him. Then on the drive back he tries to remember when the last year he didn't kill at least one.
He could hunt this morning for two hours before needing to get back and leave on the trip. The vise was tightening.
We went to a new spot just acquired and sure enough there was one willing to play. He gobbled his head off but was not in any hurry to fly down. I waited for an eternity before calling and then called softly and scratched leaves just enough to remind him I was still there.
An hour and 15 minutes it was time to change the game plan. I walked away from dad yelping sporadically and the gobbler pleaded with me not to leave.
After going back 50 yds or so i turned around and then started cutting and cackling and he went nuts. Soon I could tell he was now on the ground and coming. However I was afraid that he would skirt to dad's left so I moved further around behind dad and right and he jumped on my call and changed course.
He cut off my next cutting sequence and then I heard the BOOM !
My dad is headed to Florida with a smile on his face and a heavy burden has been lifted.
This year has been tough. He has had few real chances. Added hindrance is his days have been limited with a part time job he is doing.
Then last weekend he reminds me that Friday (today) is his last day before he and his wife go to Florida for 10 days.
Had no luck early week. I took off yesterday and we went to mid tn. Birds weren't where we expected and didn't want to play. I ended up killing later one after we split up, and he was happy but I could tell it was eating at him. Then on the drive back he tries to remember when the last year he didn't kill at least one.
He could hunt this morning for two hours before needing to get back and leave on the trip. The vise was tightening.
We went to a new spot just acquired and sure enough there was one willing to play. He gobbled his head off but was not in any hurry to fly down. I waited for an eternity before calling and then called softly and scratched leaves just enough to remind him I was still there.
An hour and 15 minutes it was time to change the game plan. I walked away from dad yelping sporadically and the gobbler pleaded with me not to leave.
After going back 50 yds or so i turned around and then started cutting and cackling and he went nuts. Soon I could tell he was now on the ground and coming. However I was afraid that he would skirt to dad's left so I moved further around behind dad and right and he jumped on my call and changed course.
He cut off my next cutting sequence and then I heard the BOOM !
My dad is headed to Florida with a smile on his face and a heavy burden has been lifted.
