I've been hunting a new property this year in SC. Yesterday I setup on road near where I've had recent bouts with a pair of gobblers. Of course, with the perfect conditions and setup, they were silent.
There was one gobble way down the ridge. I wasn't really sure about my position for this bird. He would have to cover some hard ground to get to me. I decided to play it safe and sat down and called. For the next hour he gobbled at everything. The mountain terrain made it difficult to tell if he was actually getting close.
After awhile he went quiet. I gave him 15 minutes of silent treatment and called again. Nothing. I stood up and grabbed my stuff. As I am standing up to leave, I hear him spitting. I turn slowly to see him in full strut, with a hen, standing next to my decoy. not but 20 yards away.
So, I am standing in the middle of the road, hands full, and gun over my shoulder.
He is facing me, with the hen directly behind him. I stand there motionless for a long time. Minutes go by before he spins, and circles the decoy. With his head finally behind his fan, I drop my stuff and shoulder my gun. Some how the hen didn't even notice. I wait another few minutes for him to turn again before I take the shot.
Turkey hunts never go as planned.
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