Well after my bitter defeat on opening day in the rain I decided to give it another try on Wednesday morning.
I got up at 4AM and was set-up and waiting by 5:45AM. I set up about 75 yds in the bush and had my decoys 30 yds away hen first and then the jake 6' behind the hen (both facing me). From about 5:45AM until about 6:30 I did not hear anything. A dear came within 50yds from me and about 30 yds from my decoys. hung around for about 5 minutes then darted off back into the bush.
I used my box call and heard a gobble in the far distance to my left. We exchanged calls but it didn't sound like he was getting closer. I then switched to my Quaker Boy puch pin yelper (which I just bought at Shooters Choice the day before), and he sounded off again. I tried again but louder and he sounded off again with another much closer answer over my right sholder
. I slowly twist myself so I can see over my right sholder and see him coming in a zig zag pattern. Every time I call on the yelper he answers. Here is where it gets interesting.
Tom approaches until he sees my decoys and stops dead. He then goes in a full 3/4 circle around my decoys staying within about 75-100yds away from them. When he gets to my left side he disappears into the field and does not respond of any of my calls. I move towards him about 40yds past my decoys and grab a tree and quickly set-up. I wait 20 min and call and he sounds off and starts walking back into the bush the way he came. He came within 35yds and was looking right at me. Started strutting for my decoys behind me and BOOM.....he didn't feel a thing !
Nice size bird -
20lbs11oz
12-1/2" beard
7/8" spurs
I got up at 4AM and was set-up and waiting by 5:45AM. I set up about 75 yds in the bush and had my decoys 30 yds away hen first and then the jake 6' behind the hen (both facing me). From about 5:45AM until about 6:30 I did not hear anything. A dear came within 50yds from me and about 30 yds from my decoys. hung around for about 5 minutes then darted off back into the bush.
I used my box call and heard a gobble in the far distance to my left. We exchanged calls but it didn't sound like he was getting closer. I then switched to my Quaker Boy puch pin yelper (which I just bought at Shooters Choice the day before), and he sounded off again. I tried again but louder and he sounded off again with another much closer answer over my right sholder
. I slowly twist myself so I can see over my right sholder and see him coming in a zig zag pattern. Every time I call on the yelper he answers. Here is where it gets interesting.Tom approaches until he sees my decoys and stops dead. He then goes in a full 3/4 circle around my decoys staying within about 75-100yds away from them. When he gets to my left side he disappears into the field and does not respond of any of my calls. I move towards him about 40yds past my decoys and grab a tree and quickly set-up. I wait 20 min and call and he sounds off and starts walking back into the bush the way he came. He came within 35yds and was looking right at me. Started strutting for my decoys behind me and BOOM.....he didn't feel a thing
!Nice size bird -
20lbs11oz
12-1/2" beard
7/8" spurs
