Larry A. Smail's Blog

The dead cam was obvious as I walked up the hill to a listening point. A few warblers were already beginning to sing prior to the 5:30 A.M. time.

An A.J. Cassette call.

As it usually happens the first gobble was across a hollow and towards the top of the opposite hill.  I used diagonal maneuvering to approach. I set up farther than I would have preferred, but the open woodlands and the time of the morning forced me to a pause.

Garlic Mustard- a non-native and invasive flower.

The bird left the roost prior to six o’clock and went opposite of me. I reevaluated his move and did likewise. I moved into a triangular section of woodlands with mowed cuts on both sides. if this gobbler moved along either site I close shot would be the result. He wouldn’t budge from an opening where these two mowed cuts intersected. I moved as close as I dare.

Coltsfoot flowers having gone to seeds.

The gobbler after tiring moved back down into the woods and gobbled periodically as he moved farther away.  I changed positions as well, but I heard it…hen talk.

Later, I began a circle and spotted a hunter setting against a tree. I eased away and he never knew I was around. I later saw hunter tracks along the bottom too.

I walked and called for a time until the heat, humidity and allergies began to get the best of me.

I saw some deer, squirrels and many warblers.

I arrived home after 10:00 sneezing; sniffling and itching. A pill needed to be taken.

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The gobbler erupted from across the hollow. Another one sounded off  higher up the slope. I elected to sit tight and see what would be the two birds next move. They left the roost and began walking uphill and soon they were barely audible.

I hesitated moving after them for I was figuring two other hunters may be hunting on that particular property. We all have permission. I heard no calling, no shots and the birds seemed to gobble out of hearing range. I decided  to head towards the top.

Pennsylvania Spring

As I approached the top of the opposite hill I called loudly and heard a far away sound of a gobbler. I wasn’t certain as to the bird’s direction, but I believed he was far and to my right. I set up and called and heard nothing. I decided to wait ’em out.

Early Dogwood blossom

In a few moments I saw another hunter coming along a gas well road. It was the hunter I met last year. Ed was getting into the woods a little late and had not heard the roosted birds. We greeted each other and talked a bit when a gobbler exploded down slope from where I was setting. I told Ed to go for it and he began to walk along a gas line and I made a couple of calls from behind a gas well building hoping the bird may come up and over for Ed. I removed myself, shortly, to allow him to hunt and call in the bird…maybe!    

I went half a mile away and called and was answered by several gobblers way down hill. I moved along and they answered again. I moved down  slope and they answered again and were definitely moving towards me.

I set up and another tom exploded to my right and  I adjusted my position to intercept his approach. I could see the dark color of a turkey and soon realized this bird was a hen. She was coming to me. I noticed a six or seven-inch beard on her. This beard allows for the legal harvesting of a hen, but I believed she could be laying eggs. Why would I want to take a hen capable of producing the next generation of turkeys.

Pete Pullet crank call. Turn the handle and out comes a yelp!

She was wary of me and turned to go up hill. Then I saw it! The fan of a strutting gobbler! The big male turkey was coming right along. At around 40-42 yards the bird stopped. I held off waiting for a better and closer shot…one I felt certain was going to happen.

The gobbler began walking diagonally down hill when the other gobblers announced there present again. I thought the shot would still be coming! The gobbler dropped out of sight and began gobbling hard at my calling.

Ten minutes elapsed when I saw him  sneaking towards me again. At about thirty-five yards the big bird was behind some limbs and I couldn’t get a clear shot. He, eventually, tired of the game returning to the other toms.

Oh well,  I thought as I watched six deer walking below me and coming to me allowing for some photos. A  Barred Owl landed about 15 feet from me, but the bird didn’t stick around for a photo! I later, while circling around, had two gobblers call back to me. They were now deep into posted property. I walked about and failed to get any other bird responses.

I saw Chimney Swifts and two Kingbirds today as they are, once again, making Pennsylvania home.                                                                                                           

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