My step father, Bob and I slowly edged along the right-of- way. If the gobbler was there we would be sneaking past him at about forty yards. This is potentially a dangerous manuever. I set Bob up and explained possible scenerios to him and moved around to choose a set up site below this favorite roosting area.
Within minutes after I set up a most strange event began to unfold. A doe walked past me to within about 8 yards and spotted me. She looked for a while and circled me. She circled me again and again. This became a game for her. She would look at me, go around behind me, go out of sight and come back the same right-of-way Bob and I crept up. I wasn’t sure what impact this might have on the turkeys, if any. The doe came back through about the sixth time when I emerged from my setting position and lunged at her. The game continued. I lunged several more times as the morning light became brighter. Each time she would circle to within yards of me. I counted up to ten circles and I know she circled me , at least, another six to eight times.
AT 6:00 two gobblers gobbled from where I suspected them to be. That was it! I heard a hen at 6: 40. Shortly after, a jake flew from the tree. Seconds later a hen flew out and landed within my shotgun’s range. More gobblers! By the time fly down ended 5 jakes and one longbeard entered the scene. Some of them were moving towards the hen when the doe decided to come through again. (The Smail curse again.) The hen jumped up at the deer’s approach and turned to begin walking up hill followed by the tom.
The jakes began feeding about 45 yards from me. At that moment, I decided to take a jake if they came into range. I would then break up the flock, if possible, and call one in for Bob. This is a tactic often used for fall turkey hunting. He has said often he would like a double with me. I clucked and some of them clucked and began feeding away. I rose up on a full run towards them but failed to break them up. Asthma chest pressures and a fall (almost) stopped that reality from happening.
I only heard a couple more gobbles in the distance. I walked about until about 9:40 and failed to get a response and headed out for I was to help my sister move some desks. I did get some photos of a hen on her nest.
(The flower photo is a golden ragwort.)
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
Another interesting morning! That soft thing you was sitting on, Larry, wasn’t your foam seat…. it was a fawn! Why else would she be so intent on guarding that spot? You are lucky she didn’t kick the daylight out of you! Possums, deer, sudden storms, golf carts… there are 100 ways to lose your gobbler! I sure enjoyed sleeping in this morning and having turkey casserole for supper. Sometimes its better to shoot a fryer instead of a roaster! Remember what your Mother taught you…. a bird in the hand beats 2 in the bush! Dana
Those dang deer bugger up more hunts I swear.
Had a similar senerio with an inquizitive doe yesterday that blew a good set up for my buddy, who still has a tag to be filled.
Hold out for that Tom, soon he will be alone and wish to play with you.
Those 2 we were after are still the present owners of that hillside of hardwoods. Just say the word and we will try again to talk them into range. It would be my pleasure to run those hills again with you.
Had a grey squirrel perch on my muck boot yesterday, that was way cool! He almost left his skin on my boot when I winked at him after about 10 seconds of stare down. Lol
Kip,
Thanks for the offer. Maybe, I will call you mid-week. Right now, however, things are getting personal with me and that tom!!!!! I would like a few days to work him… I know you understand. I hope the weather doesn’t become too bad. I hear rain is coming.
Let me know size for the laser art for the rifle stock too.