Last week my daughter asked if I was going turkey hunting on my birthday. I replied that if things worked out, I would try to go. That's when she said, " I was hoping I could go with you". I told her that would make my birthday perfect, let's plan it.
She's a NICU nurse, works 12 hr shifts, and was getting off a strung of 3 days. I knew she was tired, and this hunt was for me. I told her to meet at 0700, two hours later than I usually leave. But, figured she needed her sleep.
As we drove into the ranch, full day light, 5 strutters met us at the gate, and two more on the other side, courting a beaded hen. Too close to the city houses, but fun to see.
About a ten minute drive up the dirt road to where I park. Then about a 1/2 mile hike in to the one spot on the ranch I can shoot. The winds blowing 20. Cold, and the fog line is at the top of the ridge. Couldn't hear a gobble if they were gobbling.
Blind calling for about an hour and a half. I got out of the blind and walked about 100 yards down out of the wind to run the box. Trying to strike something that could I hear. I heard one far off response. Walked back to the blind, calling as I walked. Figured if the gobble could hear me, he'd think I was moving.
About fifteen minutes later, a Tom pops up from that direction. Came in quiet. Walked over and thrashed the Jake decoy. Got about 1/2 on video. Grabbed a couple of screen shots from the video.
Mels first turkey, and a perfect Birthday present for me. A day hunting with my daughter. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220426/7771183e4d18485ba625b2428aa1fe75.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220426/e5a61a674e116a98d5b648171e78f569.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220426/8063ee498b11ee4be11f6d9cb8c608b3.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220426/7f71bf587b862b64c71266c30819b37e.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220426/924771aebcc26e4140479d2f75a27916.jpg)
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That's awesome!! What a great present also!! Happy birthday Doug!!
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Happy Birthday! Congrats on the Daddy/Daughter hunt that is awesome!
That's awesome!! Congrats to your daughter, Mel. Happy Birthday Hayudog, memories for a lifetime!!
:turkey2: FAN-TASTIC :turkey2:
:bday: :bday: :bday: :bday: :bday:
Congratulations and that is by far some of the best turkey photographs I've seen!
Cool! Hbd!
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Way to go. :you_rock: