After a day at my mother’s place for Thanksgiving, I planned a day in the woods searching out the wild turkey again. Things were looking bleak for me this fall. I passed up several birds so Bob (my step-father) could get his first turkey. I worked hard and walked many miles to find turkeys after that. Fate played it’s hand and caused many things to occur to produce days without a shot. I failed to shoot at flying birds (my own tradition); turkeys went into posted lands; birds flew across a road; I failed to break birds up in order to call them in. The season has been tough on an aging feller!
I went to Cherry Run first to listen for roosting birds in some pines.I hoped they may have roosted in those trees to shelter from the rains and winds. The entire day would prove to windy. Later I walked about searching for feeding birds to break up. At this site I did not find any turkeys. However, I did see a dandy of a buck chasing does. I saw him twice. His antlers would be at least 18 inches across if not more.
The second place I checked out was where Bob shot his first turkey on November 13th. The area was clean of turkeys except a longbeard that I spooked. The gobbler was alone and I figured calling him in would be difficult since after 40 minutes of calling the winds had chills forming down my spine.
The third area I went to was my last chance for the day. I saw two other turkey hunters so I crossed the top of the hill and entered some pines on the back side. I didn’t go far when I saw a turkey approximately 120 yards down hill. I peaked around the tree and continued watching. In short order I realized a flock was present. I ditched my orange and placed my hat behind me and tried calling. They seemed uninterested. I knew I needed to try to break them up.
My charge wasn’t very successful due to many tree tops and my fear of going “head over heels.” I wasn’t sure what happened to the turkeys because of brush and terrain, but I sat down to wait. Twenty minutes later I began to call and was answered across the hollow.. across a township road… and in posted property. We carried on a nice communication when the adult hen opened up in the same area. Normally, a hunter would try to run her away, but the posted property would not permit that plan to happen.
A hard-earned turkey!
Almost an hour had passed with me calling periodically hoping a stray turkey might answer. Suddenly, yelps were heard behind me. I used my voice to call and a turkey came running through the woods towards me. I couldn’t keep the sights on the bird due to speed. AT twelve yards the turkey stopped and a limb was directly in line. She turned and flew away. I couldn’t believe how this season had transpired for me with bad fate.
Shortly, I decided no other birds were around and I moved in the direction the turkey flew. I sat against a tree and began to call. I heard a cluck, then another and close yelps. Using my voice I encouraged the turkey on in finally allowing for a shot. The young hen, almost again, escaped my shot. The brush, terrain and her speed coming in was such that I had one chance only. the time was 2:20 P.M.
I think tomorrow I will rest and paint.
Another turkey on his childhood tricycle.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
Way to go, Larry! You did indeed work hard for this bird… I witnessed some of that hard work first hand. Anyone who thinks fall turkey hunting is too easy (that would be my brother-in-law) needs to get out and experience it for themselves. Yeah, in deer season the birds get broken up and are calling everywhere but go out yourself and try to defeat a dozen set of eyes and ears! Ryan and I broke up (actually ‘split’ would be more accurate) a large flock today too. We couldn’t finish the deal, however. Now go out there and get your buck, Larry! Dana
Yeah.. fall birds can be extremely tough! They can be difficult to find. My dad would say that “there is a lot of Pennsylvania ’round them.” Breaking them up can be hard for us old guys too! Once you obtain a good break the fall birds can be running in so quickly and in a 360 degree circle and once the hen calls them all to her you are standing without a turkey and a firearm that hasn’t been shot! AND… usually a stupid look saying, “what the heck just happened?” Thank you Dana.