Second day in WV was still good but nearly as the other days because of my hunt. On the way back to the wheeler to hunt a huge ridge, we heard a gobbler showing off a ways from us. I knew right where he was so we went after him. Long story short, I need Johns help drawing him out of the field. When he did, he went the wrong way on me & missed
The next morning John & I heading from camp on a mile or 2 ride back to this area. Nice hunting from camp on the wheeler. John dropped me off so I stayed right where I missed the day before. I had birds gobbling all over! I had 2 to my left, 4 to my right & 2 across the ridge. With all this morning action, I knew the green field in front of me would be the place one of them would be. They shut down pretty much as quick as they started but I kept at it & before long I had one gobbling in the field. I tried working him to the right which I did but he went too far so I had to work him back. Everything I tired I just couldn't get him to come back to the field knoll. I figure it was definitely the bird I missed seeing he wanted nothing to do with that end of the field.
I started working to him & got to see him strutting. I figured once he struts out of sight, I'd work in closer. As I made the point where he was strutting, I started calling. I heard nothing in the field where he was strutting in but I did hear a nice gobble down in the holler to my left. He dropped out of the field & was heading down into the holler when my calling pulled him back. I kneeled down & called some more with no gobbling. Instead I heard him spitting! I figured he was right there so I looked over the edge of the holler & there he was strutting & using his head like a periscope....just like the day before strutting on the knoll. I placed the sight right on his noggin & delivered my final 2011 WV dirt nap. That sucker flopped 2 whole flats down into the holler making me work to get him! I hate when that happens.
MK-M-GOBL 4-27-11
Weight 20 pounds 4oz
Beard 8-7/8"
Spur 7/8"
Spur 15/16"
Here's a short clip (clip image to start) of taken in WV of my 2nd bird. The knoll is hard to see because of the morning sun but you might be able to see the little knoll. My hen decoy is pretty much in the middle of the clip at the base of the knoll. I set up where I did so I could work both side of the knoll & even behind me if needed.
