The gobble brought immediate hope to the start of the hunt!! I immediately gripped the old 12ga double barrel muzzleloader and made my way over a few ridges to within about 100 yards of where the Tom was roosted. After giving him a few yelps to let him know I was there another hen started up across the creek. I matched her calling and the gobbler went nuts. How could you not smile with that!!!
After I heard him fly down I cranked up the calling and he gobbled his guts out. I saw his fan over the crest of the hill, but he was about 35 yards, too far for the traiditional muzzleloader. I tried every move in the book and for 1/2hr he would strut left and right, but a downed tree blocked his final approach to me. He finally decided I wasn't worth the effort and moved up the hill to a clearcut. Once I knew he was over the crest and couldn't see me I quickly made my way to the crest and crawled up behind a blowdown. I called and he HAMMERED but was already 100 yards into the field, stationed by a clump of trees and an old gravesite. Tombstones stood behind him as the sun glistened off his full fan, what a sight. The TOMBSTONE TOM continued to Hammer at my calls, but wasn't budging from this hilltop grave site from times-gone-by.
I continued to work him and after swiching to a slate he was All-In and started back my way. When he got to 50 yards I laid the hammers back and at 20 yards, I sealed the deal with a puff of FF and a load of 5 shot.
What a wonderful hunt! As I stopped to enjoy the springtime redbuds and the greenery kicking in I couldn't help but be thankful for my health and the opportunity to get out in God's great outdoors and for the TOMBSTONE TOM!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/flintlock/Wessv_2013-2_zps9262bf50.jpg)
We drove the 45 min to my buddy's friend's place to fish a while and wow what a good lake. The bass were pounding my crankbaits and the landowner mentioned we need to keep a few for dinner. Around the backside of the pond I found a nice shed and hauled my bass out on it. What a day for sure!!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/flintlock/wessv_2013_bass_zpsa72a2a14.jpg)
Good luck if you are after them.
Wess
Outstanding Wes !!! :icon_thumright:
Excellent. Congrats.
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Congrats....the kind of day we all wish for in Gods great outdoors!
Congrats! :icon_thumright:
WOW ! That's a trip that wont be forgoten, spring what a great time of year ! :icon_thumright:.
Thats a great day. That gobblers got a man beard. Congrats,
TRKYHTR
Congrats Wes on a beautiful bird... :icon_thumright:
Congrats :icon_thumright:
great time :icon_thumright:
Congrats!!
If hadn't have just read that I'd think you'd died and gone to heaven. What a great day you had, congrats man you must be living right.
Congrats! Sounds like a great day!
Outstanding! :happy0064:
Great day! Congrats!
Very Nice congrats on one outstanding day
Congrats. That bird has one heck of a beard......
Great hunt and enjoyed the read!
Congrats!!
Wess,
I enjoy your talent at telling a story. Great read.
Congrats on your spring success.
Greg
What a day to remember!!!
Congrats, Wess. Nice gobbler and a great mess of fish.. Ooh-Rah!!
:happy0064:
Very nice,congrats!!
Awesome day outdoors Wess!
Awesome story!
:icon_thumright: Awesome day for sure!
Thanks guys good luck!!!
Wess
Sounds like an awesome hunt!!
Wow! A banner day. A beautiful loooong beard with a primitive firearm and then a load of bass. How cool is that? Congratulations on a memorable day...
That's lay n' the hammer down Wess..smoked Gobbler my favorite kind.
congrats
Congrats!
Now I know another purpose for a deer antler. LOL!
Nice bass as well.