Story below
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Where to start, well I guess some backstory is necessary. Where I grew up in N. MS we had very few deer and no turkeys in the 70' and early '80s. I grew up chasing squirrels, quail and rabbits if I wanted to go hunting. My family has about 100 acres and over the past 3 years I've been working with my dad to provide some better habitat and making sure game populations can expand with selective food plots and clearings. This past winter I took my first deer and first buck on the property and made a goal to try to get a turkey this season. Due to the size of the property and hunting pressure from neighboring tracts I knew I had my work cut out for me. I've spent a lot of time the last 2 months monitoring numerous cameras to get a real read in the local flock and their habits and makeup. I ID'ed at least 4 gobblers and formulated a plan of attack. I slipped into my setup this morning 30 minutes before first light and just let opening morning unfold in all it's splendor. Unfortunately, I heard no gobbling and began to cold call with my TL Jones ceramic pot. I guess I'm a little off my game at this point as this bird came sneaking in silently around 9am. I was looking to my left and as I looked back he was directly in front of me at 10 yards moving right to left. Instinctively I moved my gun and of course Mr. Tom saw me and quickly turned and began to walk away from me. I panicked and took a hurried shot at him at 20 yards, I hit him but not enough to keep him from trying to get airborne. I composed a bit and squeezed off a better place shot at 35 yards and planted him without a twitch. As most of you know, 2018 was a special season of firsts for me and taking the first gobbler ever taken (at least as far as I know of, legally) on our family land is something that I cherish and will always remember. To see your hard work and diligence pay off is very rewarding and I hope it's the first of many successful hunts on this property. Wow, this room I'm in sure is dusty right now.
