Originally posted by Whip:
Julian went high, and I took the bottom. It was still plenty dark and turkeys were already sounding off from the tree. I got set up and tucked back in under a cedar and listened to more turkey talk than I had ever heard in my life!
As daylight came the birds were anxious to get about their business. I watched as one after another pitched out of the trees. Unfortunately, they went out on the top side but away from where Julian had set up.
This seems like a good place to start.
Like Whip said, I climbed around and above the roost tree not knowing which direction the birds might fly down and travel. I made a quick hide in some cedars and the birds were talking and gobbling up a storm. After the fly down and realization they were all headed down hill and hopefully by Whip.
After a while and some failed long distance communication with Whip, I headed off to another part of area hoping to find some birds. I finally heard some distant gobbling and felt I'd be far clear of Whips location.
I used the hills to close some distance and finally got within about a hundred yards of the gobbling. Sounded like a lone bird and he was somewhere in this old home site and corral area.
I was coming down the hill towards the back of the house where you can see the treeline that he would have to come through to get to my clearing. I found a shady spot in the cedars close to what I thought would be the trail he'd come through to get to me. I was set up for a good shot once he cleared the cedars and came into the opening for my decoys. When I hit the call, he thundered. Within a couple minutes, he was behind the house, against the cedars and at 20 yards gobbling his head off. After a while, he seemed hung up. Then, I heard a hen yelp. He start to ease away from me and at about 50 yards, I cackled agressively. He moved back to 20, gobbling again. Although I was set for him to walk through the clearing in front of me, I'd check slowly behind me just in case Murphy was lurking, every minute or so. Finally, I saw him coming from behind me....rascal didn't come where I thought he would. I felt like I had enough time and cover to slowly shift around a little bit and as I began to move, PUTT PUTT PUTT...the hen was in my back pocket! I called her a hairy headed ^%#@
under my breath. She scooted out with big boy in tow. He kind of did a drive by on my decoys since he didn't see me but was walking at a good clip so I didn't shoot. He popped into full strut right before he crested the hill at about 40 yards. Welcome to the Klintworth. :eek: