I guess I will start it off. Couldn't hunt the opener but made up for it this morning.
Got to my usual spot and set a bling well before first light on a flat that has been good to me in the past. Much to my disappointment, I didn't hear a bird from the preferred roost location on this property. Actually, didn't hear anything other than 2 very distant gobbles. About 7, I thought I heard a distant gobble. I sent off some excited cuts and yelps and the bird answered me back. He was very far away so I didn't think he would work. A few minutes later, he gobbled again and he was closer. Still barely within hearing distance, though. About 20 minutes later he gobbled and I knew he was committed. He covered some serious ground since I first heard him and was coming fast. I soon caught his white head drop down into a creek bottom. If he continued, he would pop up in front of me at 30 yards. I held the Ravin R26 tight, and up he popped, bee lining for the hen decoy. I let him come to 20 and sent an arrow his way. A perfect hit at the wing butt which put him down in a hurry.
At 7:00am, I was putting a tag on this nice 3 year old. He was looking for love in all the wrong places. I would be willing to bet this gobbler came the farthest of any I have killed. 10 1/4 inch beard. 1 1/4 and 1 1/8 sharp spurs and heavy in breast.
Attachment(s)
Attachments are not available: Download requirements not met