Gobble Time....DRT
 

Well I hit the woods again early this morning. I went to the same spot as the other mornings encounter with the big tom that would come to me. I went way down and got real close. Not sure if the birds were here but sat up just in case.

I found a streak of woods I liked and put the decoys out (hen/Jake). Backed into the woods about 5 yards and just stood there. Right about day break I heard a gobble, not hardly 100 yards off. I was in business.

Waiting for more light, he gobbled again. Immediatley another bird gobbled not far from that bird. So now, 2 birds gobbling. I grabbed my slate and hit a few soft purrs and then more gobbling.

Then I heard the 1 bird fly down. He landed about 25 yards from the decoys. I;m stoked for sure now. He blew up strutting. Then he started easing my direction.

As soon as he got close and went behind a tree I raised my shotgun and took it off safe. There he is about 25 yards out and let him have it. Bang.....then I see a bird running across the field. I look and there is my bird DRT and another running. I didn't even see that bird. Guess I was trained on that one an didn't see the other.

I was back at the truck at 0635 and home at 6:55. Talk about a fast paced hunt and being at the right spot at the right time....location, location, location.
Weight...19 lbs
Spur.....7/8 inch
Beard....9 3/4 inch

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...y2011-1004.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...y2011-1006.jpg
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Good luck and be safe out there.

<*)))))>{

Now THAT is a hunting trip :lifter Nice.

Was sitting at the computer yesterday and this one walked right by the window... They are out there.

R10

That's very nice. I have a slate but don't practice enough with it so I don't ever use it unless it is raining.

Today was opening in Maryland but the river was flooding, so my usual spot was under water.. I went to a new spot and did no good. Only good thing was the flood washed away Georgetown and part of Alexandria. :D

Great looking Bird..... CONGRADS...

REALLY nice bird. Beard looks like a K.P. Mop. Now, if Pa. would get on the ball. OUr season doesnt start for another two weeks or so, when the grass is so high and the underbrush so thick, they'll strut right past you.

Great Bird, Great Photos, and Great Story. ;)

Thanks….jd

@Buffalo Bob....birds have to be somewhere close to the water line. If you can find that sweet spot you should be able to score.

When we get a lot of rain in my area the river floods the back waters and while deer hunting I know a couple of spots the deer move to. Then I relocate myself to these spots and wait for them to come to me.

They were all around the place last weekend. When the season opens there won't be a single bird on the ridge...happens every year :rolleyes:

(East side of the Laurel Highlands)

ECHO: Used to be pretty hot along that Accident/Friendsville Road, cant remember the route or the name of the trout stream there. But just above the stream used to be great hunting.