Crimson Arrows
Well-Known Member
To say it was beautiful out this morning would be an understatement. Hearing the first bird of the season is always a special thing and I still love every bit of it, even twenty years after my first morning in the turkey woods. Little did I know nearly 20 years later it would still consume me. I lost a dear friend to cancer not long ago and because of him I KNOW FOR A FACT, I have turkey hunting in my blood. I can still can smell the bug spray and hear the whip-poor-wills that first May morning in 1992....
April 12th 2010
They were gobbling solid but not crazy as the sky changed from black to gray. Anticipation led to mild dissapointment as they flew the other way at first light.... but that never bothers me. Happens the majority of the time anyway it seems. Patience rather than calling has always given me the most opportunities and I vowed to be patient this morning. About an hour later I heard them coming back towards me. Still, they wouldn't commit and walked off to the west. I thought I heard a faint gobble in the distance and cutt and cackled before listening again.
20 minutes passed and I thought I heard drumming as I peeked out of the blind. He was in full strut at about 80 yards and I tried to sweet talk him but nothin doing. So, I just shut up as I always tended to want the girls that wouldn't call me back a little more than the ones that did. Not healthy but the truth
15 minutes later I heard him drumming right next to the blind behind me. Before I knew it he was dancing around pretty boy and I couldn't figure out if he was afraid of attacking him or it was his first time with a lady (ended up being a two year old In any case, I dropped the string and it was over in 10 seconds.
I honestly mean each and every year when I tell those close to me, "I hope it works out but either way I'll have fun." The mushrooms, whip-poor-wills, woodies, mayflowers and everything else are probably the reason I never fall hunt them but dream about the spring. Tagging a bird is just icing on the cake..but I'm not going to lie...it makes it alot better
Thanks Gary...Rest in Peace buddy.
April 12th 2010
They were gobbling solid but not crazy as the sky changed from black to gray. Anticipation led to mild dissapointment as they flew the other way at first light.... but that never bothers me. Happens the majority of the time anyway it seems. Patience rather than calling has always given me the most opportunities and I vowed to be patient this morning. About an hour later I heard them coming back towards me. Still, they wouldn't commit and walked off to the west. I thought I heard a faint gobble in the distance and cutt and cackled before listening again.
20 minutes passed and I thought I heard drumming as I peeked out of the blind. He was in full strut at about 80 yards and I tried to sweet talk him but nothin doing. So, I just shut up as I always tended to want the girls that wouldn't call me back a little more than the ones that did. Not healthy but the truth
15 minutes later I heard him drumming right next to the blind behind me. Before I knew it he was dancing around pretty boy and I couldn't figure out if he was afraid of attacking him or it was his first time with a lady (ended up being a two year old
In any case, I dropped the string and it was over in 10 seconds. I honestly mean each and every year when I tell those close to me, "I hope it works out but either way I'll have fun." The mushrooms, whip-poor-wills, woodies, mayflowers and everything else are probably the reason I never fall hunt them but dream about the spring. Tagging a bird is just icing on the cake..but I'm not going to lie...it makes it alot better
Thanks Gary...Rest in Peace buddy.
