Larry A. Smail's Blog

I purchased a pair (makes sense since I have two feet) of regular farmer boots. They are not as comfortable as normal hunting-style boots, but my feet stayed dry today!

Chipping sparrow

  I climbed a hill in the dark and just as I reached the plateau to listen, I bumped into three deer… snorting deer!!! These deer snorted at me for close to ten minutes. I heard a distant gobble and instinctively went towards the direction I believed the sound came from. Moments later I knew I was correct, unfortunately the big bird was several hundred yards into posted land. I worked through adjacent land when loud alarm putts were heard directly overhead. I could easily see the form of a turkey silhouetted against the lightening sky. The bird flew out and I couldn’t see any distinct beard.

I settled in to lure the gobbler to me when clucks and yelps occurred approximately 35 yards behind me. Another turkey! A gobble exploded below me where the previous bird had flown from. I suspected a jake by the sound. (A jake is a gobbler hatched the previous spring.)

Fungus on aspen

  Shortly, a called in a gobbler. I could easily see the gobbler’s head and black colors. The tom walked to 17 steps from and I could see a short beard on it’s breast. I jumped up to scare this bird away. I didn’t want him to interfere with any approaching adult bird. He flew 20 yards or so and continued puttin’ at me. He circled and the other bird, a jake, flew down too. The big gobbler became silent.

As time went on, a  few more jake gobbles, I began thinking about taking a jake. the weatherman was saying another low pressure system is coming and I have some commitments that will take me from the woods earlier next week.

I called more and a jake appeared about 12 steps from me. I didn’t shoot. the bird stayed around a few moments and flew into the tree behind me. the other jake walked by farther out and gobbled some and eventually all was silent.

Bear sign

   I began a tour and call method without success. I crossed the road and spotted a gobbler in the field. He was alone and not interested in hens at all. The tour continued.

I talked with my friend Kip Feroce. He wished I would come to a specific place to try for a gobbler he knew about from the day before. I decided to leave and meet him. I reached the Brick Church community and saw the signs of bridge closure. ( I was a sign foreman for PennDOT so these signs were very familiar.) I called him and cancelled. The time to get to Kip now would be increased by 35 minutes or so. I went back to my original area. Kip late called and said he couldn’t locate the gobbler this day.

I failed to hear or locate any gobblers either. I left at 1:15 since Laurie and I had plans for later this evening. I would need a rest.

I saw two red fox kits; a woodcock; some squirrels; five deer;  a pileated woodpecker; heard a ring neck rooster crowing;  kingbird; mockingbird and a host of many other birds. Overall the day was great. We even had a few times of sunshine.

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My old Lynch Box Call

  Another call of mine is the famous Lynch Box call. My dad bought me this call prior to my coming of hunting age. I wanted it for Christmas!