Thanks all.
And finally able to do a hunt recap from way back on the sixth.
Woke up with limited cell service that morning, was able to get the weather to load and saw a chance of thunderstorms, starting at 8am. Was planning on hunting the middle blind, then moving out to the far spot where I killed last. But with the storms I went to the hide I had made in the oaks, a beautiful clearing and not many like it around. There is a reason I made the blind there and really should have been my first choice. The storms held off, kept moving them on the forecast.
Wasn't in any hurry with a fairly short hike of .4 mile, forgot why I start early... to get the parking spot. Drive over there and see a truck right there and 2 red headlamps, the ones camping near me, saw me there Monday evening when I scouted and set hides. Not sure what to do, drove past to the rock pile. Thought for a while and decided to drive past, park around the bend, then sneak up along the grass on the side of the main trail using my GPS to find the hidden side trail.
As I walked up one of them let out a terrible sounding owl hoot, too early and not nearly loud enough. I found the small side trail, difficult without a headlamp and ended going the wrong way, too far and closer to the hunters. Made some noise and suddenly a white light is shining toward me, I froze and it shut off, too much brush in the way to see me. They must have thought it was an animal. Slowly turned and found the path, then out through the water and into the dry ground.
Got set up and had my coffee, later a snack bar. No gobbles heard, not even in the distance. Luckily I don't depend on them like most hunters. Kept calling after it got light: clucks, purrs, whines and a few yelps.
Then at 9:30 right after a 3 note yelp a hen answered with the same and I followed right away with another; she was in some oaks behind to my right. Kept calling, tried a cutt/yelp, just wanted to sound like turkeys were there. Then at 10:30 the hen finally stepped out but went around behind the decoys. I decided to try and get a picture, had the video all set up on the tripod... don't know why I didn't start recording. Anyway, got lucky she didn't spook, have seen this with these Osceola hens before, can get away with some movement.
A couple minutes later I heard footsteps to my right, it was loud as the tom was walking over some dry palm fronds, very noisy. I quickly grabbed the bow and got ready. he came into view close to my hide, had circled toward me then looped right toward the decoys while strutting. His fan was up blocking his eyes as he came into my opening and I was able to raise the bow. I began to draw as he turned broadside, got to full draw, concentrated on the spot and released. The shot looked good and he ran off and went down in about 30 yards.
The turkeys came from here, glad for the crunchy palm fronds...
Osceola #4 with traditional gear:
Topic: Another Osceola (Read 2968 times)
