Turkey hunting is very hard work!!!
So alarm signals the start of turkey season at 315 am. I get up get dressed and go to wake my daughter. I shook and shook and shook her and actually thought we may not go. Then she smirks and starts giggling...just has to mess with the ole man at 330 in the morning. We got to our spot..climbed the hill and made it to the flat landing. We could see a bird against the Grey sky and we settled in. An owl did his best to scare the crap out of us a few minutes later. Madelyn and I had a good but quiet chuckle about it. I then hear a noise and know that it is a bird crapping from up in a tree. Look right and through the only possible
hole.to see through in this hemlock I can see a bird almost right above us. Damn..If I can see him he can see us.
As light starts to grow I tell madelyn they should be gobbling soon...swear to god not 3 seconds later a bird sounds of behind us. I let the sky get a bit brighter then start to call. He is fired up and can't gobble enough to satisfy himself. Bird in front of us pitches down but in the gray light can't tell if he is a jake or hen. As he passes us I see it is a jake. Bird behind us comes down..then one from our left then the bird at our right. Then all 4.start to gobble. I call they answer and they work their way back to our left. No shot as they strut gobble drum and spit over the edge of the landing. Now the hens start. Fortunately with some calling they come right below the lip and feed. The Jakes are still gobbling and then I see a white head then 2. I thought for sure they would come up but they skirt to the left again. I tell Mad to get on one and she does. I tell her to shoot him but she tells me she does not have a clean shot. In hindsight I should have known and can't be prouder of my 8 year who knew it wasn't a clean shot and didn't pull the trigger.
Birds are now at the 9 o'clock. They strut gobble spit and drum and I sneak a peak. PUTT PUTT...then hens had just cleared the lip and busted me. They head down and the Jakes start back to them. I stop them twice but again no clean shot. They ended up 25 yards in front just heading down hill and 2 go with the hens and 2 stay. One is strutting and one doesn't like what he sees. Mad was having trouble getting her finger on the trigger so I put it.on it.for her and told her to take him. They are getting ready to go.
BOOOM...Jake drops and the rest split downhill. After a few tears I get the bird back 2 her and it's time for hugs and pictures . Bird came in at 14 lbs and 4 1/4 inch beard. Wildlife taxidermy was busy. There were a lot of successful youths. It was great to see!!
