Yesterday was Kansas Youth Season opening day and it brought a big weather change...previous 2-3 days had been ideal...65-70 degrees, almost no wind...birds strutting and gobbling. Yesterday was 40 degrees a with a 20-30 mph north wind. My 12 year old grandson Tanner and I set up in a ground blind before light we had set up previously near a strut zone. I told Tanner if nothing else ground blind would keep us warm until we could get out and scout some...with wind either no gobbling or we couldn't hear any. I moved out of blind as stealthy as I could about 7:30 am and saw a group of about 16 birds 300 yards southeast of us. We moved out of the blind and re set up following cover of a tree line to within 100-125 yards of the group...one tom and 15 hens. He was strutting
and putting on a great show. I started up with some loud yelps on my Lonnie Sneed Green Glass and then some cutting...got his attention and the group started moving our way. Finally coaxed within 35 yards and ol tom presented a nice 35 yard broadside shot and Tanner did the rest with his 20 gauge Mossberg and 3" Magblend. Tanner got a jake last year so this was pretty exciting for him. Rio Grande bird weighed in at 20 lbs, 7/8" spurs and an 8" beard.
