Opening day turned out to be more of a scouting mission, likely due to to the fact that I didn't do any pre season scouting
. I've always been a fly by the seat of my pants kinda guy anyways. But it wasn't a waisted day as I located my target, a nice Tom who had a preference for agriculture, and came up with a better plan for my next outing. My second day was "oh so close" as my target came in hot and heavy but hung up short and skirted my decoy setup just close enough that I had a bead on him but just far enough that I decided it'd be wise to wait for my next opportunity.
Which brings us to day number three. This time I said screw the decoy in hopes of coaxing him in a little closer. As the thick fog lingered and daylight started to settle in, his familiar gobbles rang out from the adjacent woods. Unfortunately he had taken up roost much deeper than days one and two. No matter as my box call cutting eventually brought him out of the woods and up the fields edge on a crash course with my Winchester 1300. A deep breath was in order to settle the thump in my chest. As he walked across in front of me at about 20 yards out, I waited for that brief moment when a Turkey stops moving, head up to analyze it's surroundings, and I took the shot. My 3" Winchester Supreme #4 Turkey load did it's job and I had my Tom!
He came in at just over 19lbs with a 7-1/2" beard and 7/8" spurs.
I've arranged a hot date for him with my Traeger real soon!
