The turkeys prove that youre not. Ive had excellent seasons the past few years, and Ive grown pretty confident in my woodsmanship. Opening day, I had the privelage of putting my wife on a bird. Probably the widest and longest beard on a bird ive ever seen, and a gobble to match. Had him at 7 steps, unfortunately on my side of the tree and not my wife's. The hen that he followed to us walked 4 yards in front of my wife's gun barrel, and I was confident he would follow. Well, he didn't. He stayed put, intently looking for the hen that was supposed to be right where we were sitting. He knew something wasnt right. His face turned white, and he turned around and took the path he came down, and then cut over to be with the hen, 80 yards from us. I couldnt believe it... I just knew that we had that bird.
Fast forward to the next day, I have intentions of putting my best friend on his first bird. No gobbling, cold and windy all day. Around noon we decide to set up in an area that we know hens frequent, and play the waiting game. We hadnt sat for 2 minutes, and I spot a lone gobbler crossing through the hardwood bottom adjacent to us, about 150 yards away. I give him 6 yelps, and he is at 15 yards in less than 2 minutes. Again, he is on my side, and my buddy doesnt have a shot. He is giving us the death stare for about 5 minutes. My buddy cant move to get ba shot. The bird begins to get nervous and walk off. My buddy swings and the bird bolts. It was a swing and a miss... Again! 2 birds missed, well within range, 2 days in a row. Im hurtin' yall!