Both my boys in the blind with me for first-ever hunt together and smoked a turkey!

Tonight was the first-ever time I've had both boys in the blind with me together... I've taken Matthew, who's now 8, for a few years here and there -- but it was to be Gabriel's first-ever hunt period with me at age 4.

Matthew, being the experienced veteran, brought a blanket so he could lay down and nap for a bit before the sun really started sinking fast. Gabe sat on his stool wide-eyed and bushy-tailed looking with his head on a swivel before looking at me and saying, "I love you, Daddy; thanks for taking me deer hunting." I melted.

About a quarter after 5, I looked up to see a line of turkeys coming from my left 32 yards (ranged it later...) away in the cut corn field we were overlooking. I quickly shook Matthew at my feet and gave him a "Shhhh..." warning and motioned for him to get up. I directed both the boys' attention to the turkeys and drew back just as the last one was directly in front of me. I gave a quick "cluck" with my mouth to stop her in her tracks, guessed her at 27 yards and touched off the release.

The arrow arced toward her and we were greeted with a solid "THUMP" and a furious flapping of wings for a quick second, and then she got airborne, quickly gaining altitude until she was perhaps 70 feet in the air. The rest of the flock had gained flight as well, but she was tailing off a different direction from them. I excitedly whispered at the boys to watch exactly where she entered the woods at and to visually mark which tree they thought represented where she went in at.

We forced ourselves to wait 10 minutes before bailing out of our blind. Unfortunately, I let the two boys get out first because as I was following them out, Matthew informed me there were turkeys right behind us. I turned to see two big jakes enter the corner of the woods we were set up on. We quickly forgot about them and scampered out to where the hen was standing when I shot her and found an explosion of breast feathers with many cut in half. Bright-red blood littered the scene, and we got excited! We looked on the ground towards the direction she had took off, and there were drops of blood all over the place, and they didn't stop; She left a perfectly awesome blood trail all the way to the woods -- from 70 feet up in the air!

I let the boys blood-trail her mostly by themselves, pointing out some big drops every once in a while they were overlooking. We quickly took up her trail once inside the woods which was about 100 yards away from where I shot her, and found her about 15 yards inside the woodline.

Seriously... I think Matthew said "AWESOME!" about 20 times as we walked back to our blind together, and Gabe was smiling from ear-to-ear and has told me thanks for taking him almost as many times himself.

Tonight... was what it's all about.

 

Awesome! Congrats!

 

Absolutely fantastic! Man, what an experience for you and your boys Greg.

 

I am seriously welling up with your story and pics, Greg. You are a true sportsman and Dad. I have such respect for you ... thank you for this post .... it made a great night, greater

 

That is awesome bud! That's a memory that will last a lifetime with you and the boys. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy and family. Congrats to all three of you!

Man I can't wait till mine are big enough to get into the woods with me.

 

Thats great! I cant wait to take my little dude in a few years!

 

Congrats Greg, and thats great you were able to share it with your boys. I know I always remember the early days afield with my dad.

 

Very cool, Greg! Congrats on the bird. I have that same blind.

 

Congrats on the Turkey. There is nothing like spending time hunting with our children. Great job getting them involved in the outdoors.

 

Awesome job Greg.

 

thats great!

 

Thats great stuff. Glad your boys had a great time..

 

Awesome story. Those will be two killing machines some day!

 

That last pic with your boys and the sky is awesome... Congrats Greg... Good Stuff.

 

Very nice Greg, congrats on the turkey as well.

 

I love sharing the passion of hunting. I cant wait to pass it on to my children

 

Thats awesome, congrats on everything! One of these days I will have a little one to tote around in the woods

 

Nice!!!! Thats awesome Greg!!!

 

Don't get no better then that!! Congratulation's on all accounts Greg!

 

That is absolutely wonderful.. Great job!!!