Ohio Rainy Day Tom

[BKnisley]

This weather.....

My hunting buddy and I decided to head out Friday on a coin toss...thinking it would quit raining at some point early in the morning, and we would have a shot during a lull forecast from 5-8 am.

It poured. Non-stop. I had left my rain gear in the truck.

We stuck it out.

Heard a lot of flying down just after sun up and started getting hopeful. We were sitting in a large hedge row cutting through a section of beans and clover. They were roosted fairly close and we tried to keep their attention after the flydown...but it was windy...and the rain just kept coming.

Around 7 we finally heard some gobbling, along with a few hens. I started firing back at the hens and trying to cut off their yelps and clucking...they were coming closer. Through the hackberry to my right they came out of the woods into the field in a straight line and kept pecking around...not paying too much attention to the two hens I had sat out...they had all the company they needed.

I watched them mill around for about 10 minutes and they started to head down the fence row, back into the corner of the clover field we were sitting in the middle of. I couldn't believe the rain, but it didn't seem to bother them.

The last tom, in this group of about 12 (four toms, 8 eight hens) just locked up...firing gobble after gobble at these hens (decoys) that just didn't seem to care about what he had to say. At this point I made it to my stomach and moved as close as I dared through the tall grass keeping tight to the treeline. After a few minutes he took a few steps towards my setup...and that was all I needed.

I walked out 34 large steps...and there he lay.

22lbs. 15 oz. 10 7/8 beard and 1 1/4 spurs.

My friend even managed to get some video on his phone of my calling and their gobbling. I was grinning ear to ear. I was grateful to be cold, soaked, and in the presence of this uncomprehendingly wild creature. I was blessed to have another day in the woods.

I want to thank everyone hear at OG for all their help, messages, and insight. It has made me a better hunter and enriched my time spent in the woods. This is truly an invaluable resource that has been incredibly welcoming.

I can smell the cranberry's from the slow-cooker now...

[Yoteduster]

Congrats on a tough hunt and a well earned bird

[Ctrize]

Nice job

[oakraidia]

Congrats! Well said about how valuable this forum is, I couldn't agree more.

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[zelmo1]

Nice bird bro, congrats

[Harty]

Way to hang in there and stick it out!  Many would have thrown in the towel. Congrats!

[BigSlam51]

Congrats!! Definitely been some crap weather here in Ohio!

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[tomstopper]

Nice bird. Congrats

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[BKnisley]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! I was very close to packing it up before this guy arrived...just when you think you can count on the weatherman.  Good luck to everyone out there. Stay safe!

[randy6471]

Congrats on a great bird. Sounds like it was an awesome hunt!

[joey46]

Congrats.  OH can be tough on those rainy days but sometimes they don't care.  Hope it dries up so they get a decent hatch.

[surehuntsalot]

congrats