bowman
Super Moderator
Trenton and I have been hunting hard since the beginning of 4th season. He has really been a trooper through some slow hunts, several that we didn't see a bird. We were restricted to mostly afternoon hunts so when Saturday's (May 17th)schedule opened up to hunt the morning we were pretty excited. The birds were getting hunted pretty hard by some other guys and seemed to be call shy and very wary of our decoys. I was able to put them to bed Friday night and knew we'd have to be out there early on Saturday.
We were settled into the blind by 4:30 a.m. and at day break he started gobbling right behind us. We watched him gobbling off the roost for the next 1/2 hour. I gave a few clucks and purrs at fly down and then faught the temptation to call any more. We had also decided we would not use decoys this morning. A hen walked across in front of us and spent the next 15 minutes dusting within 60 yards. It worked out well and I heard him drumming and looked out to see him 60 yards to our left.
It was at that time that Trent looked at me with a serious look and said, "Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom!" What? The look on his face was a serious as it could be. I said, "Trenton, he's right there......you can't!" "But I have to....now!" I told him that he would have to hold it and then I saw tears building up in his eyes, he really had to go. Luckily the Tom walked out in full strut and Trent completely forgot about his untimely bowel movement and prepared for the shot. With the camera rolling the Tom was in full trut 20 yards away. As he adjusted the shotgun on the shooting sticks something clanked and the bird took off trotting. He slowed at 34 yards and Trenton dropped him!!!!
We ran to his bird and celebrated and he led us in a prayer giving thanks. It was only 6:15 so we spent the next two hours taking photos and making phone calls. The kid turns 7 next week and has harvested three big game animals without a miss. He really is the exception to the rule when it comes to 6 year olds. He is patient, quiet, and shoots extrememly well.
It was a great day and the days that we spent trying were even better. He had me cracking up with the some of the questions he asked like, "Daddy, have you ever arrested anyone for trying to shoot the sun?" I have really enjoyed spending this time with my kids and after the last two years of turkey hunting for them it hasn't bothered me a bit that I haven't went after one myself. If you have little ones, at least take them along. It is alot of work but well worth it.
OK, I'll shut up.
21 lbs, 9.5" beard, 1- 1/2" spur and the other was a loose nub slightly larger than a jake spur.
We were settled into the blind by 4:30 a.m. and at day break he started gobbling right behind us. We watched him gobbling off the roost for the next 1/2 hour. I gave a few clucks and purrs at fly down and then faught the temptation to call any more. We had also decided we would not use decoys this morning. A hen walked across in front of us and spent the next 15 minutes dusting within 60 yards. It worked out well and I heard him drumming and looked out to see him 60 yards to our left.
It was at that time that Trent looked at me with a serious look and said, "Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom!" What? The look on his face was a serious as it could be. I said, "Trenton, he's right there......you can't!" "But I have to....now!" I told him that he would have to hold it and then I saw tears building up in his eyes, he really had to go. Luckily the Tom walked out in full strut and Trent completely forgot about his untimely bowel movement and prepared for the shot. With the camera rolling the Tom was in full trut 20 yards away. As he adjusted the shotgun on the shooting sticks something clanked and the bird took off trotting. He slowed at 34 yards and Trenton dropped him!!!!
We ran to his bird and celebrated and he led us in a prayer giving thanks. It was only 6:15 so we spent the next two hours taking photos and making phone calls. The kid turns 7 next week and has harvested three big game animals without a miss. He really is the exception to the rule when it comes to 6 year olds. He is patient, quiet, and shoots extrememly well.
It was a great day and the days that we spent trying were even better. He had me cracking up with the some of the questions he asked like, "Daddy, have you ever arrested anyone for trying to shoot the sun?" I have really enjoyed spending this time with my kids and after the last two years of turkey hunting for them it hasn't bothered me a bit that I haven't went after one myself. If you have little ones, at least take them along. It is alot of work but well worth it.
OK, I'll shut up.
21 lbs, 9.5" beard, 1- 1/2" spur and the other was a loose nub slightly larger than a jake spur.
