First encountered this gobbler last Sunday. Heard him fire up about 9:30, and started toward him. Went down a logging road and got to where I though I was somewhat close, wasn't positive because he had shut up before I closed the distance. I called and got nothing, but waited it out a while. As I was sitting there another gobbler started back from the direction I had come from out on a field edge so I decided to make my move on him. I went about 100 yards back down this half moon shaped road to make a set up on the second bird. I got to where I wanted to be and gave about a 4 note yelp and the first bird gobbled about 75 yards behind me where I had just come from. I spun around the tree and got ready. He came in to no more than about 50 yards and hung up in a little patch of cedars. The bird back in the field would gobble and he would gobble back, I'd give him a little soft talk and he'd gobble. This went on for awhile, then I went silent just knowing that at anytime he couldn't handle it anymore and would have to come check me out. I could hear him drumming, I could hear him in the leaves and was staring right at where all this noise was coming from and could not figure out why I couldn't see him. I thought to myself that he was like a ghost. This went on for about 20 minutes and I think I hear a motor running in the distance. It gets closer and I peek over my shoulder back up the ridge and see something moving through the trees. It's a farmer coming to check on some horses, he drives within 40 yards of me down the field line with stuff clanging and rattling in the back of his truck. He passes me, drives down in the far corner of the field right where the other bird had been gobbling, gets out and slams the door. Needless to say, my hunt was over. I went back Thursday morning and hear old Ghost back down in the same area. As I would get closer it seemed like he would get farther and farther away. Finally he just faded out and vanished. This morning I was back, and eased in in the morning darkness. As daylight began to crack I listened and heard nothing. I figured that he would probably be roosted another 2 to 300 yards ahead of me off in the bottom. I almost didn't, but decided to hoot one time from where I was. I'm glad I did because as soon as I did he gobbled no more than 100 yards down the hill from me. I pulled up my mask and slipped around a little closer. As I was getting situated he gobbled again and I was probably within 75 yards of him. I wasn't going to call to him till he hit the ground. I didn't have to wait long, and I hear wings. I hit him with some soft yelps and he cut me off. A few clucks and I waited. He went silent, but after about 5 minutes I hear him drumming. Then for the first time I finally lay eyes on Ghost. It was pretty neat, he didn't gobble any more but as I watched him he stretched his head up and starts yelping. I yelped back and he started my way. Took him a few minutes but he finally strutted and weaved though the hardwoods toward me. I cut at him and as he stretched his head up to look I ended it at 26 yards at 6:23. He had double beards, 10 3/8" and 4 1/2". Spurs were 1 1/8 and 1 3/16" and he weighed 24 lbs. 10 oz.
(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd519/darn2ten/Mobile%20Uploads/image-13.jpg) (http://s1223.photobucket.com/user/darn2ten/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-13.jpg.html)(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd519/darn2ten/Mobile%20Uploads/image-14.jpg) (http://s1223.photobucket.com/user/darn2ten/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-14.jpg.html)(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd519/darn2ten/Mobile%20Uploads/image-19.jpg) (http://s1223.photobucket.com/user/darn2ten/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-19.jpg.html)
That's awesome,nothing like getting a bird that's beat you a few times. Congrats!
Awesome! Congrats on a fine bird!!
Sounds like a great hunt and a fine gobbler, Congrats !!!
:icon_thumright:
Awesome story and bird congrats brother!
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Really nice bird
GREAT bird and hunt .
Congrats , great looking bird :icon_thumright:
Congratulations!
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congrats on your double bird and thanks for the great story.
Nemesis birds make you a better turkey hunter. Congrats,
Joe
Congrats and great story!
Excellent Bird!
Congrats!!!
Congrats on a awesome bird. That first picture is really neat.
Great bird, Congrats!
Awesome work on a beautiful Gobbler. Way to stick with him!
Awesome story and a beautiful stud of a bird!! Congrats man!!
Congrats on a great bird, and thanks for the story!
Sounds like a great hunt, congrats
Persistence kills another one!
Heck of a bird! :you_rock:
Congrats! :icon_thumright:
congrats
GREAT STORY!!!
Congrats on great bird and a great story!
Congrats on a fine bird.
Quote from: alloutdoors on April 07, 2014, 12:44:25 PM
Congrats on a great bird, and thanks for the story!
:agreed:Congrats.....
Awesome story and awesome bird - congrats. :icon_thumright:
Congrats!
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Congrats!!
Great bird & great hunt.
:icon_thumright:
congrats on a great hunt and a fine looking bird
Congrats!!
Love stories like that. Good job.
Is that a Browning you're shooting?
Quote from: CT Spur Collector on April 15, 2014, 03:58:39 PM
Love stories like that. Good job.
Is that a Browning you're shooting?
Yes, older style A5 stalker with Invector plus.
That's quite a load to tote out of the woods!
Yep glad you nailed him. My nemesis was back on the bluff hill then disapeared as usual Sunday morning. This makes the third year this bird has tormented me. He may get a surprise though. The farmers recontoured the terrace where he used to hang up. I walked over there the other day after they got done. Now you can see at least 50 more yards down the hill. The terrace is now just a slight bump. :jackson: If he comes back up there this weekend he is probably going to get a load of shot in the face! If I can get him with the muzzle loader he is a new world record. I watched him last year a month before season from 50 yards away with my good binos. You won't believe the hooks. We will see. Congrats on yours! reflexl