My turn

[shaddragger]

I have been lucky enough in the 3 years I have turkey hunted to call 2 of the 4 turkeys my son has killed, both of the turkeys my brother has either not shot at or missed, and my daughter's Youth Day gobbler that wouldn't quite come close enough for a shot. Those, along with some that were either too young, got around behind us, or the multitude that gobbled but never showed, were a lot of fun. But Friday April 23 was my turn. My daughter,Taylor, who had hunted her first ever on a Youth Day hunt 3 weeks earlier but over age now, went with me even though she couldn't shoot because she had not yet gotten her license. I was already having a good day with her there. We set up on a planted loading deck in a pine plantation at the bottom of a hill before daylight, an hours drive south of home- an early start to say the least. Right after daylight they started gobbling at my flydown but went off the other side of the hill with their hens. An hour later they were in a saddle on the hill but still wouldn't come down to eat. After they had shut up again about 8 am, I told Taylor, "Lets try to get around them & cut them off." Well that didn't pan out as I couldn't get a peep out of them so we returned to the loading deck which was scratched to pieces thinking they have to come here sometime. Just before 10 am I get another gobble from the saddle of the ridge and it sounds like he is coming down, finally. We wait, soft yelps, some purrs, then louder cutts, wing scratching, no deal. We had to leave by noon so by 11 I said I wanted to see where they had been as they had completely shut off again. I took a mouth call and the Mossberg and we headed up the hill.  We came to a draw that ran up to the saddle and I made a cluck and he  EXPLODED !!! It was so loud I couldn't tell where he was! We dropped down and began to crawl up toward the saddle. I would crawl a few feet and purr- he cut me off each time coming toward us. We reached the saddle and through the broomstraw and bushes it looks like a 55-gallon drum coming through the brush strutting with 2 more in tow. I cut again, one drums like a jackhammer and this one gobbles and struts like Frankenstein of the Forest. I can't wait any longer- 44 steps through the bush and weeds  but I can't move again- go baby go!!  I shoot, the others fly off , and because of the brush I think I've missed my first bird but when I jump up I can see him down, not even flapping! Taylor stayed back a little so as not to spook them and only got to see the last of it but she ran down for the high 5 and the victory dance as I took a better look at my prize. It is then that I realize that I've taken my first turkey, a 10-1/2 inch beard 1-inch spurred tom with my daughter, who is more into it each trip but 16 and getting older and we all know what that means- time is limited. This past week my son, whose senior project for school is going to be taxidermy, set my fan and I finished the plaque and mounted everything on a piece of walnut my grandfather left me. I'm not sure how much better it is supposed to be, but other than getting to share all this with you guys, I just keep smiling every time I think about it. I only hate that I totally forgot about the contests and did not put an FNF sign in any of the pictures we took so none of it is eligible for the contests, but that is ok. That fan mount represents 3 generations of good times and family and will always be a trophy in every way.

[HaMeR]

That fan mount represents 3 generations of good times and family and will always be a trophy in every way.

You sure didn't leave much to say other than Congratulations on a nice bird & having your kids enjoy the great outdoors with you. 

[alscalls]

Great story!  And congrats!   

[nastygunz]

Wicked story and that is about the best looking plaque I have seen !...you could sell those I bet 

[KySongDog]

Real nice story and pics.   Congrats!  Having your daughter with you made it  even more special.   

[iahntr]

Very cool !
Congratulations ! 

[FinsnFur]

That is awesome. Congrats for sure and I really like that plaque
Frankenstein seriously? 

[shaddragger]

He had a monster strut, all stiff winged and kickin' !

[FinsnFur]

  I'm hearin ya

[buckcrazy]

Great story and that plaque is awesome.

[golfertrout]

nice story John and i like the plaque

[bambam]

congrats !!