Well after a gruelling drive I returned to Ontario a couple gobblers heavier. It is hotter than heck there compared to Ontario. Left with rain and snow and ended up in 90 degree heat. Real dry there as it hasn't rained since last October and it seemed the birds knew it.
Our first day there and not really knowing about the birds we headed in to our location and while looking for a spot to sit we heard a hen. We tried to pick a usable location but just as we were setting up a hen flew into the field. She was followed bu a couple more, a couple more and finally everyone flew down with a couple toms by the look of it. Needless to say we couldn't get them interested most likely because the two bush's were trying to find a spot earlier. We moved a little around the property but were unable to get one stirred up.
That night we headed for another farm and upon entering the field we noticed several turkeys trying to stay cool underneath some type of bush/tree thing with a couple toms strutting. We set up and after about 30 minutes a tom and jake made there way to us. By friend has been trying to get a Rio with a flint lock our last couple times down so the birds need to be within 20 yards to get a decent chance at them. Well this tom made it in to about 10-15 yards but he just couldn't get the shot. He moved off still watching us but he just wouldn't finish. We waited a little longer and three toms spotted us and made there way toward the DSD jake and hens. They were cautious but two finally committed and one was just happy to stand at 40 yards and give us the evil eye. They moved in to about 15 yards and Rob poked him. The second jumped and ran 10 yards and stopped to see what happened. Unlucky for him. One smoke pole gobbler and a 12 gauge gobbler.
Bird #1 scored 50.23
My second bird took us back to that same farm on the next morning. The birds seemed to gobble good but off the roost the became tight lipped. We decided to just sit tight and see what happen's and about 6:30 three hens came for a look at the decoy's. Wasn't long after and three more toms decided to come investigate the hens and found our DSD jake and hen again. They didn't seem to interested in them at first but one decided to come over and have a look and brought his friend with him. Big mistake again and ended up with another smoke pole bird at 15 yards and I took mine at about 30-35 yards after the commotion.
Bird #2 scored 55.10
On our third day we headed to another location and the birds as before were quite vocal in the morning but a strong breeze came up and it made it all but impossible to hear the birds any distance away. At around 8 we were visited by approx. 8 hens followed by a couple toms. The toms seen something they didn't like and wouldn't come in. The hens scratched around in front of us and moved on and the toms went back the way they came. All was quite and around 10 my buddy Rob noticed a tom strutting and coming toward the decoy. He stayed more less behind us giving Rob no shot on the bird. He slowly moved toward us but moving away at the same time. Not looking good for Rob to get his 40" flint lock around for a shot but gave me the moment I needed to move on him. I gave him a load of heavy shot at 35 yards. As I was running up to the bird Rob said wait till you see the hooks on him. He could see them while he was strutting but didn't want to say anything till after the shot. Real nice bird. (Spurs were 1 3/8" ) Day 4 my friend Rob shot his last tom for Okla. A nice 2 year old with a 12 gauge.
Bird #3 scored 67.695
All in all a great trip and a great way to begin my turkey season.
