Pond Gobbler messed up!

[quackaddict]

This bird made me question my ears and my sanity even more so than normal a few times this year, but the 4th time was one time too many for him. The first hunt of the year on this bird, he literally had me running circles around our 7ac pond trying to figure out where he was on the tree. It was maddening to say the least. Second trip, I went with my gut and caught a glimpse of him and a hen pitching down across the pond and heading to the woods instead of the field where I thought they'd be. I made a plan to setup where I thought their feet hit the dirt for the third hunt, but he was roosted across the paved road on the neighbors place. As luck would have it, his hen made the mistake of taking the same route to the ground again, and I saw where I needed to be next time I hunted him. Found out last night that the boy's baseball opener was canceled for today. Debated on heading to the 7-ring circus that would have been the public opener this morning, but decided to stick with the bird that I had an actual plan on. Got there this morning and the Pond Gobbler was back in his magic spot that makes him sound as if he's about 3 different places while in the tree. Turns out, the reason I couldn't pinpoint him the first two trips was he was basically roosted on an island in the pond so the water, high banks, and him spinning on the tree made it dang near impossible for me to course him. I was on the south bank waiting for him. I knew there was a chance he'd pitch to the west bank and work south my way, but I'd seen them pitch to my location two mornings in a row. Of course, he pitched to the west bank this morning. I let him get on the ground and gobble a couple of times before I ever made a peep. He immediately cut me off so I knew I needed to move a bit. I backed up to my SW about 50 yards to a creek crossing, gave him some light purring and clucking, and he cut me off again, so I sat down quick-like. Wasn't a few minutes later that I saw his hen. When she picked her way across the creek at 15 yards, I put the gun in that opening and waited. I saw his white head following the same path she took, and when he stepped to the edge of the creek, I sent one his way. Done and saying a prayer by 7:30. God is good!








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[packmule]

Ah, nice. Congratulations, that black and white photo looks great.

[Greg Massey]

Awesome, congrats

[JeffC]

Great job on the hunt, story and pictures, Congratulations

[tomstopper]

Very nice. Congratulations

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[quackaddict]

Gracias guys.


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[Old Timer]

Beautiful!

[Mabren2]

Love it when a plan comes together!

[3bailey3]

Great hunt and pics!

[Turkeybutt]

Great hunt, thanks for sharing the story.
Good looking bird and I do enjoy the black and white photo.
Congratulations!

[Tom007]

Great hunt, thanks for sharing. Congrats...

[greentrout]

Great story! Way to stick with that bird. And great pictures

[Gooserbat]

Well done

[Seminole Custom Calls]

Congratulations

[RutnNStrutn]

Sounds like some exciting hunts! Congrats!!!

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