Whiskey's Wild Ride

[whiskey]

I need to start a journal to document my turkey season this year. I am taking vacation to hunt continuously the first 9 days of season. I think my season really started last weekend with my daughter taking her first turkey. It was a memorable hunt, that I will never forget.

[whiskey]

This morning, Saturday, March 26th, was the Tennessee youth turkey hunting weekend. I have been scouting the flock at our hunting lease for more than a month. I watched the birds go to roost on Thursday and then set up my blind to put Lana and I in good position for opening morning. Well, all night Thursday, I second guessed my placement. I decided to get up early and watch the flock come off roost Friday morning before work. After watching the birds I decided to move my blind again Friday evening.

We were set up across a long pasture from the birds' roost. I had the decoys out and us in the blind plenty early this morning. The birds were gobbling great on the roost and we could hear 3 distinct groups of toms gobbling in front of us. About 10 minutes to 7:00 the first birds came flying down in to the pasture. We had two small groups of hens pass in front of us and were listening to all the gobblers in front of us, but hadn't seen one yet. Then we hear gobbling behind us, at the top of the hill. Lana looked over her shoulder and could see two gobblers strutting at the top of the hill. I couldn't figure out how they had gotten behind us! Just then I looked across the pasture and saw two gobblers heading towards us from the front. Just behind the two toms was an army of hens, probably 40 or so.

The old boss hen, with a 5" beard, came trotting in ready to pounce my decoy. She was all ruffed up and dragging 5 sisters with her. That was all it took to pull those two longbeards in front of us over to the decoys. There was 2 year old and a 3 year old bird strutting together and the 3 year old was behind the younger bird. I was whispering to Lana, "Get ready, stay on him. I am going to bring him out of strut." I said calmly, "Hey Tom!" The 2 year old's head shot up and Lana hammered him.

17 yards out, 20ga Mossberg with Undertaker choke, 3" Hevi-Shot Magnum Blend and he never even flopped!

2 years old, 17 pounds, 8" beard and 7/8" spurs. I am one proud Dad!

[whiskey]

About 36 hours till season. Going to meet my lease partner in the morning to listen for gobbles. We haven't been to the lease for a week now. The last time we were out there was when Lana killed her turkey. Seriously hoping that the birds are still acting normal. I would love to get a double on opening morning with my buddy.

[whiskey]

Went out this morning, Friday before the opening day. Listen to them gobble and fly down on my way to work. Then came back and got a look at 4 strutters after work. Two of them were 3 year olds. Saw lots of hens and I didn't have time to stay and roost them, but they were headed to the typical roost. Expecting a cold morning, but turning into a nice day. I have the truck packed with food and drinks and the turkey gear tub. I plan to make a day of it. Tomorrow is day 1 of my 9 day turkey hunting vacation. No need to rush. I am hoping Lana will get up and go with me on Sunday. We'll see. She usually gets lazy after a successful hunt. She did ask, unprovoked, if she could hunt with me this weekend. Saturday won't work because she has soft ball most of the day, but Sunday should be a good day for us.

[whiskey]

Got our butts kicked Saturday morning. Birds roosted on over the deep draw by the hilltop barn. We chased them, but just couldn't get out in front of them. Supposed to have high wind on Sunday, but not until after 9am. We are going to go back in the morning as hope the birds roosted on "correct" ridge. If we can get in front of them, I hope we can have better luck.

Still had a great morning. Got to watch 4 big toms strut around and spend time with a good friend.

[whiskey]

Turkey Season is over and now it's canoe season