Larry A. Smail's Blog

     Sometimes I must be squirrely! I didn’t get to bed until 11:30 P.M. ,yet, I woke up at 3:45 A.M. to try to go turkey hunting! I crept into a position and fought sleep while in the woods. I would go into a slight stupor state, yet aware of te sounds around me. I heard one gobble, but I wasn’t sure if the bird was on my side or across the road. I moved 100 yards farther along the ridge and set and waited for a second gobble in order to locate him. That second response never happened. I heard another bird farther down the hollow. He, too only gobbled once. I think they communicate a battle plan against me at times!

Box turtle

I became chilled and started to walk in the direction of the second gobble and about 9:00 I walked into a bird. Of course, the turkey saw me at the same time. I decided to try another area.

Teasing me!

Now,  the heat was starting to be felt and, to make the morning worse, the allergies were acting up. Now, I am very tired, warming fast and itchy eyes; sneezes and a few welts on my face.  By 11:00 in the morning the venture was lost for me. I decided to abort the mission. While leaving I saw two longbearded birds and two hens. They were all in private property and I didn’t try to call to them. These birds were not gobbling and one was strutting.

I went home and I changed clothes and slept until 5:00!!!

I did see some deer and squirrels. I watched a pileated woodpecker fly within twenty feet of me. that is rare to see these birds up close. I walked onto abox turtle. This makes four of these turtles this spring.