Wednesday I left the house about noon to take a turkey calling trek at a local game lands. I still find hunting in the afternoon slightly weird. I’ll get used to it I am sure. The weather produced rain in the morning. 
I began working along a food plot area calling, and hoping a gobbler would answer. I circled a bend in the field only to see a turkey run off. Gobbler? I can’t say. If this was a gobbler he didn’t respond to my calling. these are tough times to hunt gobblers. The hunter can never know where he is unless the bird gobbles once in a while.
Mollusks on a bee hive.
I worked a ridge, dropping downslope and working back. I heard no gobblers. I did see two opossums in the forest. I hunted for one and a half hours.
Fox Squirrel
The next morning (Thursday) found me high at a listening point. I heard the gobbler clear across the big hollow. Off I went to try to refine his position.
Scarlet Tanager
I ended up about thirty yards from an old township road with the gobbler in a tree above my location. I had no other options, but to play the cards!
I called softly. I was watching a warbler specie known as the Black and White warbler. The bird was close to me, and not appreciating my presence. I thought about getting the camera out for a photo when I heard the gobbler fly down. He was close! I prepared for a shot.
I waited when suddenly the gobbler appeared 18 yards from me. I froze of course. The bird would lift his tail feathers slightly, but not into a full fan. I suspected from what I could see that this gobbler was a bird from last year. He gobbled, and went into full strut. I could see the middle tail feathers sticking up above the others. Now I could see and entire beard, too…all five inches on beard. I allowed the bird to pass.
The gobbler didn’t go far, but my leg felt as if it weighed two tons. My leg had fallen asleep! I had to move. The bird walked away “putting” loudly.
I went to my mother’s home for breakfast with family. I arrived there by 7:20 so you can see this all happened quickly. Afterwards, I went out until about noon, but never heard a gobbler.
A native Azalea.
Awww. Friday morning! No gobbling! I quickly headed for a secondary place. I arrived at seven, and slowly worked diagonally along the steep hill. I walked about until about 9:30, and did not hear any gobbling, with one exception.
Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
I called loudly form an open area, and heard what I believe was a gobbler three-fourths of a mile across the big Cherry Run hollow. I elected to not go after that probable reply. Five years ago I would have been off in a hurry. Today, with age that may not have been a good idea. I saw a hen that was acting like she had a nest nearby.
Porky!
Fire Pink
I went to another area to walk and call. I had taken a couple of toms here in past hunts. The only problem these days are the steep hills to get there! As I approached the summit a hen turkey flew from a tree. It was 11:00 A.M. I pondered as to why she was in a tree at that time.
I walked the ridgeline calling periodically. I saw something dark, and at first thought I was seeing a gobbler in strut. However, a second later, proved I was seeing a Black Bear, and a big male at that!
The bear was walking towards me. I placed the box call between my knees as I began trying to keep a focus on the bruin. At about 17 steps away, he stopped. A second later he turned around in high gear. I guess I must have had an odor about me. I was happy the big guy didn’t want to mate. Mating season is upon the bear population.
Chestnut-Sided Warbler
I was basically finished with turkey hunting. All I wanted to do was check my photos out. I did see a porcupine in a tree allowing for some pics.
I continued calling as I circled towards the jeep. No responses! I peered over en embankment on the gas line I was calling from only to see two gobblers moving away. If only one would have answered…….
Mountain Laurel ready to bloom.
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Allen K. Smail June 4, 1923 to June 20, 1999. My dad was setting in his car when he had heard of Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor of December 7, 1941. He was drafted in 1942. He was in the European theater returning home in the fall of 1945. I am very proud, and respectful of my dad for I am what I am because of all his efforts to teach me to respect the flag; honor the military, and to never forget what those brave men, and women did to preserve America. I hope America will be able to come through the events happening today.
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