One Osceola down, one to go. I was not able to hunt the first two days of the season, so I got out this morning for the first time. Had a light drizzle this morning, knew the birds would be later than usual. Heard a gobble way to the south of where I was sitting, and I answered with seven fast yelps on the box call. Did not get an answer. Fifteen minutes later I yelp again the box call and got multiple gobblers that were a lot closer. Yelp again and got immediate gobbles but a lot closer than last time. They came out of the wood line and was coming straight to me. Put down the call and got the gun up on my knee and they stop almost in range and almost out of range (no man's land). They cluck and cluck and walk back and forth but did not come closer. I could not move and pick the call back up; they turned and started to walk away. When they had their backs to me, I put down the gun and picked up the friction call and did two soft purrs and they turned and came right back into gun range. Shot what appeared to be the largest gobbler and he dropped. The other two gobblers did not run off but stayed and clucked for several minutes. I could have killed all three several times over. I will be out there tomorrow before work.
Not in focus, photos of the other two Osceolas.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/studeb/P1020852_zps383e0a43.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/studeb/P1020854_zps68fb6eb7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/studeb/P1020856_zps05fabe36.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/studeb/P1020861_zps96db917d.jpg)
My oldest Seminole (FSU), with Chief Osceola on her hat.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/studeb/P1020864_zpsafd90b41.jpg)
Bushy 10.5" beard.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/studeb/P1020868_zps96b1cd03.jpg)
Luke, hey Dad what did you bring home.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/studeb/P1020873_zpsbd741ab4.jpg)
Great photos, congrats on a nice bird!
Those are some great pics. Congrats on the bird & good luck tomorrow.....
Great pics...bust his brother tomorrow!
The only thing that could make that better is if those were GATOR hats! :toothy9: Congrats on a fine bird.
Congrats on the nice gobbler and good luck on tomorrows hunt..
Congrats. That's a great bird.
Congrats! Great pictures
Thats a good looking birds. Great pics also! :newmascot:
Good job, thanks for sharing the pic's.
Congrats! Good luck tomorrow!
:icon_thumright:
COngrats :happy0064: Love the hats... >--------;->
Congrats on the great bird!!!!
Great read, it was almost like I was sitting there beside you.
Congrats.
Greg
Sure is a pretty bird
congrats on a nice bird
GO NOLES. congrats on a nice bird. how did the birds react to the decoy's? I'll be out there this Friday hunting the Osceola
Great pics! Looks like an Albert Paul box also!
Congrats!!
Quote from: slamman on March 18, 2013, 08:10:51 PM
GO NOLES. congrats on a nice bird. how did the birds react to the decoy's? I'll be out there this Friday hunting the Osceola
I really like the Dave Smith decoys, I have killed many birds using that decoy. Today they saw the decoy, but they did not run in until I did a couple of purrs on the friction call.
Quote from: Publicland on March 18, 2013, 08:12:56 PM
Great pics! Looks like an Albert Paul box also!
You are right it is an Albert Paul call. I have killed many many birds with it. The wood combination is a Persimmon box with a curly maple paddle. I killed a nice gobbler the very first time I used the call. Would not leave home without it.
Those are great photos. Congratulations on a beautiful bird! :icon_thumright:
Nice photos and bird Stu!
Congrats on a nice bird.
Good story and great bird, congrats!
Hey your camo doesn't match! How the heck did you get a bird in close enough to shoot! LOL
Great photos and a great hunt.
None of my camo matches either!
Honcho
Congratulations on a nice bird.
Congrats!
Quote from: Mike Honcho on March 19, 2013, 01:32:32 PM
Hey your camo doesn't match! How the heck did you get a bird in close enough to shoot! LOL
Great photos and a great hunt.
None of my camo matches either!
Honcho
Mike you are right I have never been accused of being a good dresser.
Nice bird, go Noles!
Congrats on the gobbler and hope #2 soon follows. :newmascot:
Congrats on your hunt and that awesome gobbler!
Congrats!! :icon_thumright: