Well it finally came together around noonish today It has been a week of close calls, hened up birds, bearded Hens, Overwhelmed with Jakes Terrable weather, and getting screwed up by people. I woke this morning on my last day off before going back to work only to look outside and it was pouring I dont use a pop up, and didnt want to sit in the rain so I slept in a bit :D At 7:30 I got up, went upstairs and scanned the fields behind my house through a spotting scope. There was 3 Jakes that I have passed multiple times now in one field, and couple Hens else where and Waaaay over in another area was a lone Tom with two Hens. I know this guy well, he is always Henned up and will never come in. I set a plan in action and took off. He was in the field just outside the wood line and beside a Big ditch that boardered the other edge of the field. The farmer had missed some golded rod when he had plowed the field and they were feeding on it. The woodline is extremly thick with briars and the only place I could set up was at the other end of the woods about 150 yards away. I did some light calling and he would just stare in the direction for a bit. Henned up again I just hoped they would come back my way as it was where they had come from anyway on there way there. 3 hrs had gone by and they started feeding down the ditch line away from the woods, So I thought maby if I went to the ditch in the woods that I could slip down the edge of the bank and get around all the thick briars in the corner where they were, and catch them on there way back. NO DICE The ditch was flooded to the hilt and I couldnt slip down the edge. I went back to original spot for more waiting game I watched through the binos as they finally fed back toward the woods, then a mirical happened :D The hens retreated to the woods and he stayed and fed by himself. I gave some soft clucks and some purrs and he would just stare, but very slowly started feeding my way Then He bolted to the woods as a truck nearly a half mile away stoped in the road for a look across the field I thought it was over but 10 minutes later I spotted him but much much closer. I watched as he kept comming and stopping to stare at the spot where he heard the Purs and clucks from. It was perfect setup, briers waist high, im standing on a dirt hump with tree in between us. H ecleared the tree and my range finder was already on him with 34 yards showing but I wanted to wait till he was past me some what before thaking the shot. Didnt want to take a chance on him seeing me draw while facing me. He finally went behind another bush between and I came to full draw and waited for him to re emerge. I put it just behing the wing joint as he was quartering away and let it fly. It made the thump of a good hit but he never went into the death flap, flew or ran He just stood there and started wobling and fell once. Not taking a chance I grabbed another arrow and as he was staggering I shot him again this time putting him down for good. Bad move, the second shot took off half his beard :D But here he is!! OH, The goofy looking Hat is because I told Dubbya he looked like a Dork wearing his in a Turkey kill pic. He gave me one at te G2G last year :D 21.5 lbs 11.5" beard and 1 3/16 and 1 1/8 spurs another
good stuff, congrats! Better luck than were having up here. The toms aren't responding the calls and the hens are all alone I don't know what is going on, too early or too late?
Congrats on the bird, he's a nice one! Nothing wrong with a camo boonie hat. I often wear one myself.
Nice bird and post! I can't wait to get in the woods Friday, I'm stuck in the office till then. Congrats! wvbowhunter
Fantastic bird and great hunt. Way to get it done without a blind. That is a goal of mine. You have inspired me to give it a try with my second tag. Congrats!
