Sometimes I get a little longwinded, Ill try to keep it short though.....
My usual hunting partner just got a new job with a electricity provider and has been working up in Richmond, Virginia. I called him Wednesday and he said he was staying up there to work a little extra this weekend. This left me to hunt on my own on Friday morning. The birds gobbled a bunch off the roost on Friday morning, but were eventually led away by hens. That was fine, I had all day....
I decided to leave about 8 or a little after and give the birds some time to get away from all the hens. I went to the "Tin Store" and got me a biscuit and a Pepsi Cola, went home to take care of some business, then rode to Pink Hill to get me some gas.
With all that done it was getting close to 10 o'clock, about time for the gobblers to be getting back by themselves. I decided to ride around the hunting club to see if I could catch one out in the field or strike on in the woods. After a couple different places with no success I went to the other side of the highway where we have some other land. As Im about to turn right onto the pulpwood road I see a strutter out in the field to my left, we do not lease that field but we do lease a power line that comes out to that field.....the wheels in my headbegan to spin, after a few minutes my plan was set. I would set up on the power line and see if I could call im to me.
I put out my strutter decoy and a hen about ten yards in front of me where he would be able to see them good, got settled in and began to call a bit on a diaphram. He gobbled....a bunch, but he never cut the distance any. I decided it was time to switch to my slate. After only a few soft clucks and purrs I could tell he was on his way. Last time he gobbled he was where the power line opens up into the field. I sat my call down and got my gun up. It was the first time I had ever heard one spit and drum and buddy it was awesome. He strutted the whole way to my setup and actually walked between me and my decoys at about 5 yards. We were eye to eye for a bit before he turned towards my hen. What a great respect I felt for the old bird at that moment. After he put on a good show I finally ended it at about 6 steps, no more than 8 yards. Those hevi-shot #6's almost took his head clean off
I have killed only a few birds before this one, but I think this is the hunt that I gained the most respect for these birds. Being eye to eye with him at 5 yards and him not knowing I was there, hearing the old warrior spit and drum, and seeing his red head strut all the way to me. This was the hunt of a lifetime. I wish everyone could expereince what I did by myself on friday morning.
