This is only the second time I've been out this year...tornadoes kept me out of the woods opening weekend and a gobbler that had 17 hens defeated me on Monday.
My brother in law got me permission on some property of a good friend of his an hour away from me. I did a map recon on my phone and pinned some likely roosting spots along a gas line right of way.This morning I woke up to a balmy 31 degrees and began the drive. Once I reached my parking spot I gathered all my gear and set out across the pasture in the dark. I found a good hiding spot tucked into some trees with a decent view of the gas line. I crawled in the bushes and waited for daylight.
As darkness gave way to light a pair of geese came by honking away. Immediately a gobbler sounded off about 200 yards directly in front of me. I scanned the treetops and located the bird in full strut on his limb. I gave him just a couple light yelps to let him know I was there, which he responded to. I watched him for about 10 minutes and at 6:42 he pitched down..away from me and onto the neighboring property! I figured he knew where some hens were and wasn't going looking for a girlfriend who may or may not be there.
From that point on he went silent. This particular area is pretty small and I knew my setup was about the best I could do so I stayed put. I called off and on every 15-20 minutes but nothing answered.
At 9 o'clock I see a coyote coming down the lane and gets to within 10 yards of me before he smells me and trots off. I figure he's ruined any chance of a a turkey showing up so I decide to give it 30 more minutes and head home.
At 9:15 I just happen to look up and see a red head making his way towards my position. There's a ditch about 45 yards between me and the bird...he gets to the edge and stops to look around. I'm afraid he's going to hang up when he doesn't see a hen but my fears are put to rest when he walks down into ditch.
I put my red dot in the general area where I think he's going to pop up. I see the top of his head and he walks up and completely exposed himself. By this time he's less than 20 yards and I decide that's close enough. At the shot he just crumples and never flops.
The bird was a good two year old and a pretty bronze color...pretty enough to where I'm going to have him mounted.
It was well worth braving the cold for this one!
View from my setup
