I could not have asked for a better morning. Got to the place way early, 530. Waited at the truck listening as everything started to wake up. By 615 i decided to drive to the back and walk in. I parked, grabbed by vest and gun and hit the owl call. 2 hit across the road on some one else's property. So i walk in to ours. I get thru the first field and between it and the second field before I hooted again. The trees came alive. No more that 100 yards from the truck, and 30 - 40 yards from me is a gobbler in a pine tree strutting on the limb.
I can see him so i know he should be able to see me. But he kept gobbling. I sneak behind a tree and walk to the nearest spot to setup. Throw up the decoy and sit down about 75 yards from him. He is hitting on every crow and owl that breaks calls. So i call to him gently and seldom, just enough that he knows theres a hot hen right here for him. He flies down close to the tree and walks in to the clearing i am in. 15 yard full strut shot.
I shout out a "WEEEEWWWWW!!!!!" I couldn't possibly be more pumped. My first bird that I can say I did it all by my self. No one else calling, scouting, anything. It was me, by my self.
He looks like a 2 year old by the spurs, they are about a 1/2 inch. But he is sporting 8 3/4 inches of beard.
I smell turkey nuggets frying tonight!!!!
