Larry A. Smail's Blog

I discarded the inedible turkey parts in the woods. This has been my custom. I believe the feathers will go for nesting materials and the remains will return back to the earth either through consumption by other wildlife or the natural processes. I continued up over the hill to try for another gobbler with my second tag.  I reached the top and scanned the beautiful Cherry Run hollow to wait for dawn. I could hear the usual warblers beginning to sing and chirp happily. I could hear a whip-or-will ending his nocturnal calls.

A gobbler sounded off and I rapidly approached his roost and set up for calling. I heard a hen doing some soft tree yelps near to the bird. I wondered what all of this might mean for the next hour of hunting.  I heard something moving at my right. I turned to see two ‘coons closing in. I had to stand up before the two would run off. I got back to listening and calling.

 Amazingly, the big bird slowly began approaching my calling site. At one time, I actually placed my finger on the safe believing the deal was about to be completed.

However, the turkey worked around to enter a field’s edge. I could see him, but he was out of range. The turkey’s desires waned and by 7:00 he became silent after walking through the field. I had heard two other gobblers off in the distance.  I made a short tour of the area. I heard one hen and later saw another tom in a field being harassed by a blackbird. The turkey, apparently, had wandered close to the blackbird’s nest.

I walked into the area where I had heard the yelping, and watched a hen fly down the hollow. I was getting very warm (at 8:30)  and decided to call the hunt off, dig some ferns and head home . Afterall, I had work to do.

I could see where someone had driven along the field very early and was saddened to find a box turtle that had been run over. Always a sad thing. Turtles don’t have much of a chance in today’s world of roads and vehicles.

Other sightings included both grey and fox squirrels.

I took some photos of this old truck that has been resting in these woods all of my life. I expect it is from the 1940 era. I guess the vehicle could be from the very early 1950 time frame. Anyone know?