Finally!

Well, This Morning Was the One!
Brhaun and I got up early as usual, snuck down in the woods at a new place we haven't hunted yet and heard and saw absolutely nothing! So, we decided to drive down to another spot and we saw a tom way down the tracks gobbling. We headed around to get back around behind the bird and saw two more toms standing on a lawn! We got down the tracks, got over on a little road that runs parallel with the tracks and Brhaun got the bird gobbling and coming. OK- it isn't that easy. They never just run into you, gobbling all the way so you know when and where they are coming. They stop gobbling and the display and pace and come at their own pace- which in my opinion, is always agonizingly slow! Well, it took this bird 15 minutes that felt like two hours to cover roughly 200 yards of ground! Our set up wasn't the best I have seen but it did serve the purpose and I did have the luxury of a solid rest! As the bird got really close, Brhaun didn't dare to look- probably afraid I was going to miss again or blow my foot off or something! LOL. He was curled up and calling really softly so the bird would think he was further away then we were. I finally caught the bird's head for a split section before he cleared the sparse trees in front of me. I had already clicked off the safety and picked a spot that when he hit it, I would shoot. I also learned my lesson and did a quick scan for any trees that would cause a repeat of Saturday! Finally after three days of waiting for him to move ten yards, he stepped into the spot I wanted him to step into! It really is too bad Brhaun wasn't watching then because a big grin came across my face as I steadied, slid the bead just under his neck and squeezed the trigger. OK- I can tell if my trigger squeeze was good and steady by whether or not the recoil and sounds of the gun surprises me! It surprised me when it went off and I came back from the recoil to see the bird topple over backwards and a much quicker than I ever expected Brhaun running 25 yards in world record speed! We exchanged pleasantries as to how well that worked. I think Brhaun said something like, "at least you hit this one!" LOL. No- we celebrated like a couple of lunatics! We went over every inch of the bird, took pictures, looked at the bird some more and had a blast! I called work and told them I would be late and we headed back to the truck and went and tagged the bird. Brhaun is doing up the fan on the bird and the beard because he pretty much rules! I think Brhaun said it best when he said he loves that shit and that was what it is all about! The bird was big- maybe not the biggest weight of a bird I ever shot but the beard was huge! 10 1/2 inches long and the spurs were an impressive 1 3/8 inches! If all women measured guys like turkey spurs, I'd be a virtual giant! LOL. It was one hell of a morning! What looked like disaster of a day turned into a memorable one in all of 30 minutes! Hey- that is hunting! That is why we get up at 330 AM every day and go out and hunt these foolish birds! Today was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Brhaun, thanks Bro for everything! I said it earlier today that this is the most fun I have ever had turkey hunting and it is so true! Oh, and just for the record, you are a turkey calling machine!

Week Two

Started Out Really Well...
Tom got his first bird ever on Monday. We had birds gobbling all over the place! I came close but the bird decided to head down the tracks instead of coming to us. Worked out OK though since Tom killed the same bird. Hunted every day this week and saw and heard lots of birds but never got another good chance until today. Have to it lay out there like I see it! I blew an easy one this morning. I tried to get cute and shoot a bird's head between two trees and ended up killing the tree and not the bird. Just for the record, I HATE missing! I know no one is perfect and you can't kill every bird you shoot at but I think waiting another minute and I would have got a better shot. I was a little over confident and thought I could pull it off and it just didn't end like I wanted. No big deal really- I still have three full days to hunt and before work every day as well so I just need to be patient, let it pass and all should be fine. Other than a ton of hunting and work, not a whole let else going on! I had a great time on our trip to Manchester and have truly enjoyed this Saturday off. Well, off to watch a movie with the girls and then go to bed. I get to sleep in until 530 AM tomorrow! LOL

Opening Week

OK, Unless You Have Been Living Under...
A log, you probably know that Monday was opening day of turkey season. To say getting up every day at 330-345 AM and then going to straight to work is not tiring would just be wrong! So far, Monday has been teh best day by far. Dad got a bird first thing and we got another bird later that morning. Tuesday I guess we will call just a weird day. Wednesday, I called in a hen to 25 yards but no toms. Thursday, we messed with some birds but never got them across the brook and today we couldn't buy a gobble but had two jakes dead at 20 yards and let them walk. Last year, I kill those two birds but someone has taught me that those are next year's two year old birds and to let them go. I learned it, Bro. Can't say they would still be alive if today was the last day but for now, they are safe from my shotgun fire. I am thinking I will try a place Brhaun and I went this morning and saw five birds sneaking around. I have to leave the woods at 6 AM instead of 630 tomorrow so I need to get in, get set up, shoot the bird and get out! It won't happen like that but that definitely sounds good! Tomorrow, we are leaving for the big concert and trip! I am looking forward to it very much and can't wait until 3 PM tomorrow when I can come home and get ready to leave. Monday should also be fun-packed seeing as Tom, Brhaun and I are all going turkey hunting. I think it is Tom's first real try at turkey hunting which should be a lot of fun. I think I will let him go off with Brhaun if we get two birds gobbling and see if we can't get Tom on a tom! LOL. Well, I am absolutely exhausted and I still need to shower and get ready for hunting in the morning so I am out! Later