I have had 3 gobblers inside 75 yards this year, all 3 on public land - 2 of them on the same day 5 miles apart. On a return trip to work the one in the swamp, we moved in on him but he slipped out the other side and got killed (or shot at anyways). Just before we heard the boom, I was gun up safety off at the red head easing to me at about 30 yards - JAKE! Poop.
Today, hunting private on an invite and hear no gobbles. Am calling about 8am and as I sit the glass call back down, I turn my head just a wee bit to look at the ground (dummy) and hear a few clucks - not a panicked putt, but concerned. I see two jakes, one eases off pretty quick but I talk the other into coming just enough into my eyesight (you know how you are looking way far to one side or the other and everything is kinda fuzzy!) that I can tell it is definitely a jake. I talk to him a little while and settle him down and he eases off too. As I am getting ready to leave to head to Easter service, I look at the end of the field I am overlooking and see a gobbler! Ease up the binocs and it is another jake - bout a 4" beard. Followed by 2 other jakes. I would have called to see how they reacted, but I was now running late. Let them feed off the field and hoofed it out.
Best news (other than a fun day with lots of action - no killing but sure not bored) was that I am on the lease for next year - we locked it up with just family members too. Knowing 5 jakes will be dumb 2 year olds next year does not hurt my feelings a bit.
