This season was much different than previous ones. There wasn't anywhere near the amount of gobbling I would typically hear, the birds seemed to be 2-3 weeks behind schedule for whatever reason. The large flocks didn't split up until about 3 weeks ago. We had a banner acorn crop in 2023, it's been at least 10 years since I remember that many acorns being on the ground. I feel this helped with the quality of the birds this year, not sure if it might have affected them being a little later than normal. I had torn all 4 of my rotator cuff tendons during deer season and had surgery 6 weeks before turkey season opened. I made some changes by starting out using a .410 and shooting left handed and was able to fill my first tag opening morning. I had recently picked up a 28 gauge Mossberg Tactical Turkey and decided to give it my best left handed effort this morning. I heard my first gobble around 6:30 and got set up just inside 100 yards. He answered my calls and then went silent so I did too. About 15 minutes later heard him spit and drum to my right. I was able to get turned just in time to see a nice long beard crest the hill at 35 yards. The 28 gauge did it's job and my last tag was filled. I feel truly blessed to have harvested two very nice gobblers given the challenges I had this year. I'm already looking forward to spring of 2025 and hope it's as good to me as this year has been.
