We decided to set up in a new area and try to get closer to the wary birds who have been elusive this week....(ahem...walking away from our decoys
...)It was windy last night and chilly this AM. The birds were not roosting in their normal area for this time of year. We made a collaborative decision to move and set up in a spot we had tried on opening day.
On the way to the spot Mr.Coyote decides to run along the other side of the field and "stalk" us...I guess he couldn't quite figure out what we were....2 big things carrying turkeys????(we had our decoys in our hands)...Mr.Coyote decided to cross the field onto our side once he was behind us....I kept muttering.."If that hound gets any closer........"
So we set up in the spot. H&S sits over to my left about 40 yds. I place my decoy and have a sit under a spruce tree and start calling....
Within 10 minutes I have a gobble! Awsome! So a birdie wants to play!
The bird was on the other side of the woods. So we kept "talking" to one another...then he STOPS GOBBLING!
I thought "Oh no! that FU&^#G! Coyote has scared him off!) So I decide to sit tight....as H&S lovingly told me that on the Opener, when I got up to go pee, 3 gobblers came out 10 yrds from where I was......Not eager to repeat my mistake I stay seated.....over to my right I hear a "crack"...I look over and see a Big, Struttig Tom! coming right out of the woods! My heart is POUNDING at this point! I let out a chirp from my mouth call..the Tom looks right at me..then back over at my decoy...HE's SPOTTED IT AND HE WANTS "HER"!!!!
He was only 25 yrds from me! I heard him drumming and spittin!!!!
Once he cleared the thicket I let him have it with my ol trusty Stoeger P350! Boom! Shot 1! He starts to fly from the shock! Boom! Shot 2! He twists in mid air and goes down for the count!......
Jamsers is in HEAVEN at this point! I go over to put my foot on his head and let him finish his "death dance"....
H&S comes over...I am still in shock..."Buddy" he says.."This bird is good! Oh yeah over 20lbs for sure!".
We pack up, go for breakfast and then head back to his place to weigh him....22Lbs and a few ounces...fair to say he was
22.5lbs!!!
I take him home an complete the "measurements"....
beard: 11 inches!
Spurs: 1.25 inches
Here are some pics!
