Scored in North Florida

[g8rvet]

Shew.  What an odd season. Has been fun, but has been frustrating.

Had a WMA draw early in the season and was on birds each day, but I was unlucky one day and he was lucky the next. No joy.

2 pieces of private and the public I hunt have been like a ghost town. No gobbling at all, none.  At least not when I was there.  Family would be there and have several talking, I would go the next day, with them, and nada.  I have seen plenty of sign and put my nephew and BIL on birds - they saw 11 that day! And they killed one.

Last Sunday was the last day I could help my daughter get her first (she can't hunt again due to commitments) and we had one just out of her range.  Never offered her a shot and I was as nervous as the first long beard I ever called in.  It was awesome.  I could have killed him easily, but kept hoping he would clear some bushes in her way and close a little distance.  I let him walk hoping he would return, but he did not. 

So today starts out like every other day this year, total silence. My brother had to leave about 9 because his grandson was in trouble at school, so he left.  I told him I was sticking it out for a while.  About 9:30 I heard a half gobble-I thought oh great, another gobbling jake.  He followed up with a full one and the game was on.  He walked around me in a half circle, I was pretty sure he had heard me call but he did not gobble to my clucks and purrs.  He gobbles again and I realize he is walking past me and I get a little more aggressive with my mouth call and this time he responds.  He gobbles again closer, then further, then closer - so I know he is strutting (not in visual range).  I stop calling as he knows there is a hen looking for love and sure enough he clears some thick brush to my left in full strut about 10 minutes later.  He gets to a good shooting position and won't come out of strut.  I cluck and he just spits louder!  I cluck a little louder and nothing.  He raises his head just a little and the bead is on him and the little 20 puts him down for a dirt nap. 

Pretty boring trophy wise, just a 9" beard, 3/4" spur 2 year old, but he felt good toting out.   

[g8rvet]

In the lounger.


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[surehuntsalot]

 

[taylorjones20]

Congrats!

[SteelerFan]

Congratulations 

[renegade19]

 

[lmbhngr]

Better than nothing. Perseverance pays off

[Muzzy61]

Congrats.

I hunt north Florida also, been a rough season.

[Spitten and drummen]

congrats! way to hang in there.

[kyturkeyhunter4]

Congrats! 

[tha bugman]

Looks like he really likes that chair!     Congrats!!

[Wrangler95]

Very nice gobbler,congrats!!

[Nukm80]

Congratulations! I'm in NE Florida on the FL - GA line. It's been a rough season over here too.

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