Day 1

HaMeR · April 21, 2008, 05:19:26 PM

Last night Diane & I went out to roost a Tom or two. We got zero responses in all 5 locations. Diane asked what I was gonna do in the Am & I said I'll just have to wing it I guess. So I did. Turns out I think there were 3 Jakes & 2 Toms in my #1 choice. At least that's what it sounded like as I was setting in my #2 spot!!

But from this spot I had easy walking access to 2 other roost sites plus the one I was set up on. At 5:55AM they started sounding off in my #1 spot. Then I heard 1 gobbling from what would be the #5 spot. I was on spot #2 all of a sudden no more than 80yds to my left I had a single gobble. I was looking right into the rising sun & could see him walking on the branch. So I gave a couple soft yelps on the slate & used my hat to sound like a fly down.

A few minutes later I watched him fly down on the hillside out of sight. I waited til 6:15AM & gave some soft slate purrs. He gobbled one more time. By 6:30Am I was lowering the,,,,,,,,,, shotgun because i wasn't looking for a Jake this early in the season. He was at 19yds. He was a real nice 5" Jake with a nearly full fan & looked heavy. Should be a nice Tom next year if he makes it. I didn't get pics of him tho.

In the meantime the others were still running their beak.

So I packed up @ 6:45AM & headed off on a 500yd trek that would bring me within 150yds of them IF they weren't in the hay field. They weren't in the field so I got as close as I dared & set out the hen deke. By 7:30 I was lowering the ,,,,,,,,, shotgun again. 2 more Jakes. Much smaller with 2-3" beards & the full Jake fan. It'll be another 12-18mos for them if they make it I suspect. I did get pics of these little fellas tho. They were at the 15yd mark.

Here are 2 short clips of them. About 20 seconds each. The quality isn't too bad.

I got one to strut but they would not gobble. The only time they gobbled in the field was when they would go back over the roll where I couldn't see them.

No dead birds but I had fun nonetheless!! Thats what it's all about for me. Trigger time is just an added bonus.

Hope you enjoyed my little adventure today.

kurt1022 · April 21, 2008, 06:00:02 PM

Good day in the field Glenn !

BigB · April 21, 2008, 06:04:15 PM

Great story! And I'm lovin' the action shots and movies.

I can't wait to get out there myself this spring.

Thanks for sharing

Brian

Bills Custom Calls · April 21, 2008, 06:09:04 PM

Your back to work about a month and your taking days off for things like this?

Sounds like my kinda guy Way to go Glen

:roflmao:

Coulter · April 21, 2008, 06:27:17 PM

Looks like a great hunt Glen...it ain't always about the kill

Those are some pretty cool pics too. I hope ya find a big brusier Tom.

I'm heading out tomorrow morning to do bit of pre-season scouting.

Steve

alscalls · April 21, 2008, 06:43:34 PM

I love catch and release Glen! Fantastic, now get back out there and take a sign that says fins and fur to hold up in the frame that would be awesome.

Silencer · April 21, 2008, 07:22:54 PM

Thats awesome Glen, nice job !!

HaMeR · April 21, 2008, 07:41:27 PM

Thanks guys!! I had the sign made up but I couldn't catch the damn bird to pin it on him!!

It was a very enjoyable AM for me. I've waited 11 months for today & it was worth every minute.

Catch & release aint all that bad.

I was feeling a little bad about taking that 6" bearded Jake last spring so I let these guys go for now. We'll see what the end of the season brings me. Plus I have tomorrow to get out too!! :roflmao:

When are you headed out ~~Abe~~,, errr,,, uuhhmm,,

Bill!!

Best of Luck to everybody in the next few weeks too!!

alscalls · April 21, 2008, 07:58:33 PM

Hey my wife said those jakes taste just fine.......and as usual.......she is right.

studabaka · April 21, 2008, 08:02:43 PM

You're doing a lot better than me. After more than a week I have only called in a couple hens. Only heard a gobble or two and they was way off. Very quiet verses how they were last year

HaMeR · April 21, 2008, 08:15:38 PM

You're right Al!! I neither condone nor condemn shooting Jakes. It is my preference to leave em but I don't want an empty tag at the end of the year either. I believe a Jake is also a fine example of woodsmanship & turkey calling when you can get one to the barrel or the bow. I also know there are quite a few nice Toms on & around this property so I'll wait for one of them. I will not berate a fellow hunter on his choice of shooting a Jake.

Hey Stu!! I was thinking about you the last few days!! Especially this AM as the sun was rising. I'm glad you're back out there gettin after em again!! Good Luck my Friend & if you need anything just holler!!

A lot of times around here a Tom is usually not too far off. Just cluck & purr with them on a slate call & hang on. Those are the Toms that come in quiet. And don't be afraid to get up & move either. Go after those distant Toms while they are gobbling so you can keep track of them & know when you're within 100yds or so. Good Luck!!

iahntr · April 21, 2008, 08:21:39 PM

Good stuff Glen. Thanks for sharin the clips with us.

DirtyDog · April 21, 2008, 08:24:22 PM

Thats awsome Glen......you'll get your chance soon enough.

cb223 · April 21, 2008, 08:38:14 PM

Sounds and looks like you had a pretty good day in the woods.

I had a pretty slow first day, I didn't hear or see a single tom or jake. I saw six lone hens.

Chad

Bills Custom Calls · April 21, 2008, 08:59:19 PM

I am thinking of being sick on Wednesday morning

:roflmao: I will have to see what is happening at work

FinsnFur · April 21, 2008, 09:17:15 PM

Giood stuff Glen. I'm glad you took the time to capture that and bring it in.
They kinda look like they know you got the camera, and are showing off

You sure they arent tied up?

Frogman · April 21, 2008, 09:41:17 PM

Glen,
That's great! Looks like your first morning was a good one.

JIm

Bopeye · April 21, 2008, 10:20:42 PM

You da man Hamer........

HaMeR · April 22, 2008, 04:08:07 AM

Thanks guys!! I know the videos aren't as good as CCP's or some others but it was fun. I even snapped a picture with the flash on accidently & they never left.

I'm going back out in a few minutes & try it again. This is some fun stuff & I'll try to get something better for you guys today.

Good Luck Chad & Bill!! I'm rooting for you guys in the contest!!

It sure was Jim!!

Not sure about being the man in the turkey woods Bop. But I'll take your word for it!! Thanks!!

They weren't tied up Jimbo. Maybe mesmerized by that sweet talk but not tied up.

Oh hell,, I just got lucky they can't smell is all.

FinsnFur · April 22, 2008, 05:25:39 AM

Good stuff Glen.
They almost appear to be, well....showing off for the camera.

Are you sure they arent tied up?