First off thanks be to God for another chance to hunt these spring turkeys. I've enjoyed yet another awesome season even though for the first time in 5 years I didn't tag out.
Let me give you a quick recap of the Louisiana season. First spring sprung a month to early it seemed, my azaleas blummed back in February and the flowers died off weeks before opening day. Not discouraged I set out hunting my favorite spot on a local WMA, and 4 hunts in I had learned how tough it was going to be. Every morning they would gobble off the limb, fly down and head to their hens and stay silent. Finally the 5th hunt I tried a tactic that's worked in the past and started evening hunting. It immediately paid off as I took a 19lb, 10in beard, 1in spurs bird at 7:18 pm at 30 yards on April 4th.
Then came the lull! A full season and a few close encounters later I'd still not managed to kill another one. This being the final week I hunted hard Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to no avail having them every day, morning and evening, hang up with hens no closer than 80 yards. I'd all but gave up this morning and decided not to make a short hunt before church and sleep in, then after church I chose to stay home and relax. Then after church this evening I had the last day itch and made a mad dash to hunt the last hour or so of the last day.
This last hunt like the others played out the same..he strutted, gobbled, drummed all around 70-80 yards with his hen, but never came in range. I figured since its the last hour of the last day I'd make an aggressive move and tried to cut him off around a ridge.... He's still running and I came home with a tag in my pocket, and only one bird this year, but it was enjoyable.
My wife said "I'm sorry that stinks you didn't get him." My reply "I'm just glad I got to watch him one last time."
Maybe I'd tagged out if I'd went after some different birds, but I was determined to kill these. Next year lord willing will be no different as I will attempt my redemption.
