Bird #2 is down 10 yards from where bird #1 met his maker.
Almost got it done Thursday evening. Thunderstorm to my NW and another to the east. As I pulled up to my gate, watched a long beard enter the trees on the North end. Thought I knew where he would have to go so went to the corner and set up. Thunder revealed a couple gobblers to my south. I bet they gobbled 200 times in the 1 1/2 hours I hunted. The creek is usually docile and fairly narrow. It was a raging river and they wouldn't cross. Had a tom walk right by where I was set up on the 6th, and 3 jakes had been there earlier in the day.
I was going to hunt public but the strutter beat me into the field. Went to my land. Birds were in the hayfield south of me and on the hillside where I left them last night. Got set up and heard a gobble. Hit the box call and got a response. Waited a bit and called again. Another gobble but further away. I was feeling sorry for myself and kinda spacing off when I heard a gobble on my side of the creek danger close. I called on the custom pot call and no response. 10 minutes later I hear some raspy yelping. I call again nothing. 5 minutes later I look up and see a long beard had snuck in on me 8 yards away. Gun was in my lap. I eased it up as we stepped behind a tree but he picked me. He hesitated though and that was his downfall.
10 3/8" beard
7/8" spurs
20.79 lbs
