Larry A. Smail's Blog

Pennsylvania in spring

Bob and I exchanged our plans and off we went towards our listening posts. I arrived to the top of the hill and settled in for turkey talk. The first gobble was at 5:39 A.M. and across the road below where Bob was stationed. A second bird began gobbling behind me and on the side of the hill facing Bob’s location. I decided to not pursue him and, maybe, something positive would happen for Bob’s benefit.                                                                                    

A third gobbler opened up across the hollow from my site.  I waited a bit to make sure no other birds started gobbling on my side before dropping down the hill and across the creek. I set on a diagonal course towards the gobbling bird. I eventually reached his level and hesitated going any higher on the hill’s side for fear of becoming known. The open woods with a gobbler perched high in a tree may easily be a situation for him to spot my movement especially since I may become high lighted with the eastern sky becoming bright. This decision would prove to be wrong!                                                       

I began calling some and the old boy had my position pinpointed. Now, I had time to study the site. He just might come straight across at my level. The other option presented allowed for him to walk up and enter onto a mowed section of woods bordering a Christmas tree planning area. I knew this would be the most likely scenario, but I feared the above mentioned issues enough to set about thirty yards below. That cut stretch was flat land bordering the slope I was on. The slope was about 40 degrees.

A.J. Cassette slate and striker

Silence was heard before another gobble erupted. He was off the roost and working towards the cut area. Should I chance moving? In moments the gobbler was above me and within shotgun range. The gobbler was strutting back and forth and gobbling like crazy! I followed the sounds with the pointed shotgun, but could not get a shot. I could see rose brambles being shaken by the gobbler. Oh, I wish I would have moved up slope more now!

Double action fighting purr call of A.J. Cassette

After a while the gobbler went silent. Later I crept to the mowed area and could easily see why the bird wouldn’t come down over to me. From his vantage point the brush was way too intense to move through especially when he expected the hen to go to his gobbling. I could have made the flat and not be viewed by the perched gobbler. Now I know! Later, I saw him and a hen feeding on a gas well opening. He gobbled twice at a crow and silence became the norm. I saw another turkey later flying down hill. If I would have been standing I would have been offered a shot. Oh well tomorrow is another day.

I saw some squirrels and deer to round out the morning.