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Started by 101st501, April 05, 2016, 12:25:00 PM
Quote from: 101st501 on April 05, 2016, 12:25:00 PMSorry, this is kind of a long read. I went down to my local public land this morning and hear about 4 different birds on the roost. I sneak in, sit down, and start to call easy on a box call. Immediately, I hear a hen behind me. She starts yelping and clucking nearly constantly. This goes on for several minutes, and she is in the same spot the whole time. I started to wonder if I had snuck in on someone by mistake. Suddenly, she starts to cackle and cut and I can hear her moving to my right. A gobbler fires off just across the property line, and then another down below him at the creek. I spin to my left and after a few minutes I can see one. I can't keep both in sight at the same time so I am reluctant to try to adjust any more. Eventually, the strutter breaks and moves towards a gap in the trees that I have already decided would be my kill zone. He sticks his head out, I shoot. I jump up and run about three or four good paces in his direction. When the smoke cleared, I saw a bird on the left side, and one on the right side of my kill zone. Both acted like nothing ever happened and then proceeded to walk back the way they came. They must have seen me shortly after because both then flew off in different directions. I cried, kicked myself, and then was thankful to at least have the opportunity to hunt. I don't believe they were too far, but it was a downhill shot through a patch of trees. I could have snatched the trigger. Who knows? Anyhow, my question is how likely is it that those birds might come back in the morning? Should I use a decoy to ease their minds? I appreciate any advice.