THA4
A Few Steps Ahead Of You
So, for once, there isn't much to this story. :grin:
I had an opportunity to hunt for only two mornings in extreme northern Missouri this past weekend and wasn't expecting much due to lack of time and the fact that you can only hunt until 1pm in MO. It was just another inexpensive way to get out with a couple of buddies and hopefully get lucky. :grin:
Saturday morning was difficult, we didn't see a bird while hunting. Got to sit in the blind with an old friend Saturday night trying to film him kill an Iowa bird with his bow. Got close, but didn't seal the deal--but that didn't matter.
Sunday morning there was a HEAVY dew and I knew the birds would have to be out somewhere. It was an amazing morning for sure!
Lucky for us, we spotted a bird in a hay field that was "sneakable" with the fan.
Before today I had yet to actually give this tactic a try. So this was my maiden voyage. This is much harder than it seems. Your pace is important, not being fat is important... which I am.. but having a bit more stamina and not requiring my wrists to hold up so much weight would have been nice... And, this trick is a RUSH!
This bird initially acted like he was going to charge me, but actually went submissive--yet strutted the whole time. But, in closing the final 50 yards, he began to move off. I moved fast and closed as much ground as possible when he strutted facing away.
Being drenched in sweat and dew (my glasses were nearly completely fogged over) and feeling like I was at 35 yards, I pulled the shotgun from my back, popped up and his eyes got big and I think I heard him say "Oh Sh#*!" and I dumped my first Widow-Maker bird and LOVED IT!
I highly suggest giving this tactic a try, it'll challenge you and make your heart pound in your throat!
Here's a good view of the sneak in.
My final view from the WM
Dead Bird!
His final view
The whole scene.
In this picture you can see my trail in through the dew.
24-10 lbs., 1-1/16-inch spurs, 9.75-inch beard.
Curt got his later that morning. Sunday was a great day!
This all couldn't have happened without Ty. Thanks brother!
I had an opportunity to hunt for only two mornings in extreme northern Missouri this past weekend and wasn't expecting much due to lack of time and the fact that you can only hunt until 1pm in MO. It was just another inexpensive way to get out with a couple of buddies and hopefully get lucky. :grin:
Saturday morning was difficult, we didn't see a bird while hunting. Got to sit in the blind with an old friend Saturday night trying to film him kill an Iowa bird with his bow. Got close, but didn't seal the deal--but that didn't matter.
Sunday morning there was a HEAVY dew and I knew the birds would have to be out somewhere. It was an amazing morning for sure!
Lucky for us, we spotted a bird in a hay field that was "sneakable" with the fan.
Before today I had yet to actually give this tactic a try. So this was my maiden voyage. This is much harder than it seems. Your pace is important, not being fat is important... which I am.. but having a bit more stamina and not requiring my wrists to hold up so much weight would have been nice... And, this trick is a RUSH!
This bird initially acted like he was going to charge me, but actually went submissive--yet strutted the whole time. But, in closing the final 50 yards, he began to move off. I moved fast and closed as much ground as possible when he strutted facing away.
Being drenched in sweat and dew (my glasses were nearly completely fogged over) and feeling like I was at 35 yards, I pulled the shotgun from my back, popped up and his eyes got big and I think I heard him say "Oh Sh#*!" and I dumped my first Widow-Maker bird and LOVED IT!
I highly suggest giving this tactic a try, it'll challenge you and make your heart pound in your throat!
Here's a good view of the sneak in.
My final view from the WM
Dead Bird!
His final view
The whole scene.
In this picture you can see my trail in through the dew.
24-10 lbs., 1-1/16-inch spurs, 9.75-inch beard.
Curt got his later that morning. Sunday was a great day!
This all couldn't have happened without Ty. Thanks brother!