Thanks guys! So here's for a long winded story. I'm currently in my second year of law school at Ole Miss, and with all the coronavirus precautions, we've been moved to all online classes and the grades have been changed to pass/fail. These changes have allowed me to hunt every day it's not storming, and for that I am very fortunate.
The past few weeks have been a struggle, to say the least. It's always rough here in MS early season, with birds having lots of hens and are generally tight lipped once they hit the ground. Even then, I've been with 75 or so yards of a bird 5-6 times, and have had one at 40 yards, just on the wrong side of the property line, and also had a bird I was working killed by somebody else on Wednesday. As I'm sure all of yall can relate, these close calls, coupled with the days where I just strike out completely, make me feel like I completely forgot everything I know about turkey hunting.
This morning was Day 19 for me, and my best friend who hasn't turkey hunted accompanied me. Today's forecast was perfect: sunny, calm, and in the high 60s after an overnight thunderstorm. This was by far the best day we've had, and I thought it would bring a change in attitude to a bird or two. We only heard one bird on the roost, and as so often happens, he went quite shortly after flydown.
We decided to check out another spot around 9:30. I made a point to take the long way around to the back of the property line to not bump anything walking in. When we got to where I wanted to start on the ridge, we were met with a cacophony of dogs barking, doors slamming, and all other kinds of racket coming from the adjoining private property. I was pretty discouraged to say the least. We still decided to ease our way down this main ridge. After about 100 yards, I cut twice and gave a 5 note yelp. He cut me off after the 4th.
He was 100-120 yards away on a small finger than ran off the main ridge. My buddy and I quickly picked a couple trees and sat down on the south side of the main ridge, facing the finger. I gave a steady dose of purrs, clucks, and whines when we first sat down. He did not respond to any of my calls a second time. After 10 minutes, I see a hen walking on top of the main ridge towards us. I just knew she had the gobbler in tow. My belief was mistaken, as she was by herself and after gazing in our direction from 30 yards, decided she didn't like the fact she couldn't see her friend, and she began clucking as she walked over the crest into the bottom on the north side of the ridge.
I started clucking back, and she eventually calmed down and threw some yelps in with her clucks. The gobbler immediately responded to her. He had gone over the ridge 100 yards ahead where the finger joined the main and was now just over the crest approximately 60-70 yards. I told my buddy I needed to get to the big tree on top of the ridge, and ditched my vest as I made the 30 yard crawl. When I reached the tree, I let out one series of yelps and he immediately fired back. At this point I knew this was gonna end in either a dead or spooked turkey. I did not make another sound. He was close.
There was a small sapling directly in front of me at the 12:00 position, and I had left my pruners in my vest, now abandoned 30 yards behind me. So I put my barrel on the right side, towards his last location, and hoped for the best.
This turkey started drumming, and it was deafening. I knew he was right over the crest. After five minutes of this, I finally see the top of his fan, just 30 yards away. He has worked his way down the ridge to my 9:00 position. I now needed to get my gun barrel to the left side of this sappling.
He'd pop out of strut and periscope, and all I could see was his waddles up. I just knew the game was about to be up as he stared daggers in my direction. Then he would pop into strut, drop his head, and I would just see the top of his fan again. Every time he did this, I worked my gun his direction. After 5-6 times of him doing this, I finally had my gun positioned. I kee keed and his head came up for the final time. I probably skimmed the top of the crest with my pattern, but it was effective nonetheless. He made for a perfect turkey hunt that ended at 10:45 am, and sure lifted my spirits after struggling the past few weeks, and it was awesome to experience it with my best friend.
Sorry for the long winded story guys. I look forward to the rest of the season and hearing all of y'alls stories. Stay safe and God Bless!
