Most of you don't know this, but my Pop isn't doing well at all. He has a terminal disease, and has been going downhill rapidly of late. Last night I found out that they had put him into hospice that day, and that the outlook is not good. This morning, I had my last Florida hunt of the season on a WMA that I love to hunt. I wanted to get a bird today, so I could spend a lot of time with Pop, instead of being in the turkey woods. I have more seasons to go, and more gobblers to kill, but Pop's time is growing short.
I hit the woods with Flhuntress this morning, hoping for the best. The birds didn't gobble much on the roost, but fired up pretty good after flying down. Soon, we had 2 gobblers within 100 yards. They answered my calls, and gobbled their butts off, but they also had hens and would not come in. Soon they started drifting off. Feeling the pressure to end the hunt early and go be with Pop, I opted to get up and go after the birds. I snuck through the woods until I spotted a strutter. I started to move in on him but before I could close the gap, a super jake that I called "Sentry" got between the gobbler and I. I had to back up and try another route to the strutter. By the time I got there, Sentry had moved and once again was between the gobbler and I. >:( Finally, they both started moving off. I glassed the rest of the field and spotted another strutter a ways off.
Once again I moved to the strutter, but by the time I snuck to where he was, he had disappeared. ??? I spotted him again, moving up towards the area that Sentry and the other strutter had been. So back on the move I went, closing the gap. When I got down to the area he had headed to, he had disappeared again. Feeling the pressure to end the hunt and go to Pop, I pushed my luck more than I should have.........and it cost me! ::) I snuck through the woods, closing the gap to where he should have been. I crept around a patch of head high palmettos, but so did the gobbler. He spotted me, turned tail and ran before I could get lined up for a shot. >:(
A few minutes later, my phone started vibrating. It was Pop asking what I was doing. I told him I was turkey hunting, and that after the hunt I was coming to see him. He said to kill a bird for him since he wasn't able to be on the hunt with me. I told him I'd do my best, and that I'd call him after the hunt. After hanging up, I continued glassing the fields and spotted a group of birds. There were two hens and three larger, darker birds. I worked my way through the woods towards them, and set up in a spot where they would go right by me in range. As they approached, I glassed the group and found the 3 larger, darker birds were jakes. One of the jakes had a noticibly longer beard and was larger in size. They were going to pass by in range, so I had a decision to make. I didn't want to end my season by killing a jake.......BUT, Pop had asked me to kill a bird for him, and I couldn't justify spending multiple days afield going after turkeys when Mom & Pop needed me. So the decision was made for me, it was a no brainer. I needed to end this and go be by my Pop's side. So I eased up over the bush I was hiding behind, and took aim at the jake with the longest beard. At the shot, the jake dropped and barely flopped. I went out and claimed my bird, thanked the Lord for the bird, and for the opportunity to end my season and be with Pop. The bird had a 5-1/2" beard, pretty good for a jake!! The spurs and weight were classic jake though. ;D
I went home, cleaned my bird, showered, and Flhuntress and I went and spent the day with Mom & Pop at the hospice center. I told him about the hunt, and how after he asked me to shoot a bird for him, I was provided the opportunity to do so. I was at peace with the opportunity, and my decision to act on it. I have no regrets about ending my season, or shooting a jake to do so. I had a good hunt this morning, tangled with a few gobblers but they were better than I was today. I've killed my share of turkeys, and will have many years of turkey hunting left to come. What's important right now is time spent with my Pop. So its likely that my turkey season is over all together. Barring some miraculous turn around in Pop's health, I will have my hands full helping out for the rest of this season, and beyond.
So if any of you would like to send some positive thoughts and prayers my Pop's way, I would definitely appreciate it!!
Here's the pic of me and Pop's turkey.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/RutnNStrutn/f70061f8.jpg)
Congrats!!
sorry about your dad, hope things improve for him. be sure and tell him about the hunt.
gary
Sorry to here about your dad. Sounds like you have your priorities straight.
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Very nice gobbler,congrats!!
Congrats on the bird. Saying prayers for your dad. Take care of him yourself and rest of the family.
Great story... :thanks:
Congrats on the bird. Saying prayers for your dad and family.
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Great hunt. It worked out for the best. I bet he smiled when you told him you shot a bird. Wish him well and you have my prayers.
Congrats on the hunt, I think that bird will be special to you for years to come.
Prayers sent for Pop :jesus-cross:
Nice story. :turkey2:
You did the right thing! proud of you and that is still a great turkey. I know it means a lot to you and your dad. Prayers sent for your dad and your family!
Good job buddy!
So sorry to hear about your dad, Jim. You absolutely did the right thing, and I would have done the same.
Years ago, I shot my first jake, and didn't bring it by my dad's house to show him.
I never got to show him another turkey, and I have regretted that decision all my life.
You are right. There will be many more gobblers for you, but you only get one dad. Enjoy your time with him.
congrats. great story great pics and prayers for your Pops sent.
Congrats! A nice bird for your Pops!
Great story and may peace be with your Dad. I'm sure he'll enjoy the story.
Thank all of you for the prayers!! Pop has been doing better the last couple of days, and they are considering letting him go home. It will still just be a matter of time, but for now, he's doing much better. Thank you again!!
Jim.. I had all I could do to hold it together long enough to read your wonderful stroy. I pray that your dad does indeed, have a recovery and that he can go home. Your story was touching, and I pray for your dad and family. That jake is as impressive as any gobbler out there, given the circumstances. Well done, my friend..Well done..Mike
Thank you Mike. I just left the hospice center a little while ago. Pop will get to go home tomorrow afternoon. Its still just a matter of time for him, but he is out of immediate danger, for now. I appreciate the prayers guys! :icon_thumright:
Good Bird! Thanks for sharing your story. Prayers out for Pop.
RutN, congrats on tagging out and I'm sorry to hear about your Dad's health problems.
Prayers up for he and your family. :bible:
Congrats and prayers for your pop and family.....
Prayers sent Jim. I hope your Pop bounces back.
Congrats on the jake, I'm sure he'll make a fine meal.
prayers sent to the family
congrats on the hunt
Thank you, all of you!! We brought Pop home today. He is still in rough shape, but he's home!! Please keep the prayers coming, he needs them!! :cross2:
Brother Jim, congrats on a "trophy" bird taken in honor of your Pop. Let Capt Bud know he is in my prayers.
Will do Mike, and thank you brother. I appreciate it!
I'm over at Mom & Pop's tonight taking care of him so Mom can get a good night sleep. Sure would like to be turkey hunting still, but this is so much more important. Pop was very happy that I was here spending time with him tonight, and taking care of him. I am most saddened that I can no longer go hunting with the man that taught me how to hunt.
Thank you Pop, you introduced me to my passion, and made me the man I am today.
prayers for your dad
Congrats to your dad!