I'm recovering from a total knee replacement surgery. 29 days after my surgery, I was ready for a dark morning walk through the woods, but my wife convinced me to reconsider. So, I went to physical therapy at 11, ate lunch at noon, then took to the woods. Carried in my blind, a decoy and my shotgun. Random calling in a known good place. I had two hens move through before I spotted a tom at about 80 yards. I called and he stood there 5 minutes into and out of strut. Four jakes showed up and he was chasing them for another 5 minutes. Then a hen showed between me and the males. The whole group started coming my way, but on an angle towards the hen. Occasionally the tom would turn and chase the jakes. The range was perfect and my 20ga barked. My hunt was over.
When the desire is burning and ya work yourself hard to recuperate a hunt is possible. I'm so happy to get out to hunt, filling the tag is a bonus. IA season 4 starts Wednesday and I'll be out there.
AND, I was home in time to take my wife out for dinner.
