Out of the bed and grabbing my pants I listened for rain outside as the evening had been nothing short of a gully wash. All seemed quite as I hoped that it would stay that way until about noon. Today marked the 2017 Youth Hunt and we had a gobbler to kill.
Now properly attired, I made my way out to the kitchen. Nope - no coffee, no toast and only a 11 year old kid to roust from bed down stairs. I found my 11 year old hunting partner Dylan, fast asleep on the floor of the bedroom and the lights still on. Weird way to sleep I thought. Up and Adam was the call as Dylan sat up - "There's turkeys to kill son" I added.
My wife also had risen and helped gather gear, as I headed to the truck. On the way back I spotted Dylan was up and putting his boots on. "No rain yet" I told him as he hurried tying his boots. He was all business this boy!
It was just before 5 AM when we left the driveway and headed out to the woods. The rain still holding out! Soon our truck drifted to a stop as the headlights went out and we scrambled to gather gear!
As we were hunting private land, our tent was set and decoys were soon spinning in front of the blind as when setting them it started to drizzle. We adjusted our chairs and as the darkness began to give way to the morning light, we were ready to rock. We paused every so often to listen for Gobblers - there was none. Not a single one gobbling off the roost.
I told Dylan that not hearing a gobble was no fun, but that didn't mean them ole' boys weren't around.
I gathered up my old Primos slate call and fired off a series of clucks and yelps. I switched to my old "Lynch" box call and hammered home some loud yelps - we waited - nothing!
So that was the scenario, I'd call and they wouldn't answer. Id call and nothing answered. For a while I figured we'd be here all day.
It was about 6:45 AM, when I glanced to my left and here from the corner of my eye, I spotted them 2 big old Gobblers. Slowly, I mean very slowly, they walked in to the decoy set. I instructed my partner to stay still and to wait until they separated for the shot. It took forever, but slowly the bigger of the two separated and held his head up. Dylan got the green light.
With the pull of the trigger, Dylan sent a load of #5 copper plated shot down range and nearly decapitated that Tom. The bird went down and hardly moved. Hoooray...Dylan sounded off , making sure his gun was safe. A few hugs and pats on the back and we hurried to see Dylan's bird.
Dylan had killed his first Gobbler and he could not have been happier! What a great day, great kid and great Gobbler!!
Once home we found that the bird weighed 22.5 with an 8 inch beard!! Gotta love turkey hunting!
He had to have his Mom come over for the "cleaning"...He took the beard/Tail/Spurs and each wing and both feet home to show his brother and sisters! Very proud young man!
Very polite - made sure to Thank me and the Landowner several times! I was proud of him. Shook the landowners hand as well. In a week or so, he'll come back over and we will write "Thank You" letters to the Landowner and send them.
For a 11 years old...a chatty Kathy! What a GREAT day - Thanking the good Lord and Greyhound! You don't get many days like this in your life. I don't know who had a better time?
I hope to hear some more stories.
Keep them coming!
Us old guys should be paying attention to these youth hunters and pick up a few tips!
BT
Congrats to all of the young guys/gals!
