Larry A. Smail's Blog

I waded the high grass of the reclaimed strip and right-of-way and was rather soaked before I had even set down in the woods. Some of the grasses on the right-of-way were actually as tall as I am! I eased into the woods where the gobbler sounded off yesterday. To my surprise at 4 minutes after five a gobbler erupted the pre-dawn woods in the wood lot where I was set up yesterday.  Turkeys!! Never figure ’em out! 

I was in a rather dangerous position. I elected to sneak around and re-cross the right-of-way in hopes of not being detected. I seriously doubted the birds would go through that tall grass. This maneuver worked! I crept in and set up with a huge oak to my back. I had a dream set up position. The turkey was ahead of me in an open wood lot. A high soaking grass area to my right and a low grass-covered farm lane to my left spoke of a great advantage. There was a slight saddle ridge in front of me and the morning sky illuminated the horizon line. This meant any movement would be magnified.  

A second tom exploded. I was close. The time slowly edged along until one tom flew down over the bank. In short order I watched the second tom fly down and towards me.  Things were looking good!  

The close tom started gobbling and moving. I held the shotgun in a ready position when I noticed a gobbled to my right. The closer gobbler moved up towards  him. The amazing thing of interest as to how the bigger bird actually stopped exactly in front of my sight.  The shot was at 26 yards.  

Spurs of 1 1/16 inches

The gobbler sported a ten 1/4 inch beard and 1 1/16 inch spurs. He weighed in at 22 pounds.  

Other sightings of the day included one deer and two red fox puppies. The pups were near my old homestead.

I discarded the inedible turkey parts in the woods. This has been my custom. I believe the feathers will go for nesting materials and the remains will return back to the earth either through consumption by other wildlife or the natural processes. I continued up over the hill to try for another gobbler with my second tag.  I reached the top and scanned the beautiful Cherry Run hollow to wait for dawn. I could hear the usual warblers beginning to sing and chirp happily. I could hear a whip-or-will ending his nocturnal calls.

A gobbler sounded off and I rapidly approached his roost and set up for calling. I heard a hen doing some soft tree yelps near to the bird. I wondered what all of this might mean for the next hour of hunting.  I heard something moving at my right. I turned to see two ‘coons closing in. I had to stand up before the two would run off. I got back to listening and calling.

 Amazingly, the big bird slowly began approaching my calling site. At one time, I actually placed my finger on the safe believing the deal was about to be completed.

However, the turkey worked around to enter a field’s edge. I could see him, but he was out of range. The turkey’s desires waned and by 7:00 he became silent after walking through the field. I had heard two other gobblers off in the distance.  I made a short tour of the area. I heard one hen and later saw another tom in a field being harassed by a blackbird. The turkey, apparently, had wandered close to the blackbird’s nest.

I walked into the area where I had heard the yelping, and watched a hen fly down the hollow. I was getting very warm (at 8:30)  and decided to call the hunt off, dig some ferns and head home . Afterall, I had work to do.

I could see where someone had driven along the field very early and was saddened to find a box turtle that had been run over. Always a sad thing. Turtles don’t have much of a chance in today’s world of roads and vehicles.

Other sightings included both grey and fox squirrels.

I took some photos of this old truck that has been resting in these woods all of my life. I expect it is from the 1940 era. I guess the vehicle could be from the very early 1950 time frame. Anyone know?

I tried, once again, to locate a gobbler at my favorite area. Nothing! I was blessed to play around with two buck. One buck had an impressive rack going. I could see six points and the height was about 3 inches over his ear. The other buck had four points. I took some photos, but , the low light and hand holding of the camera caused blurred photos.

I decided to try another area once again. I was walking up an old logging road when I heard a gobble across Cherry Run and way down the hollow. Of course, I went after it. Eventually, I located above the bird. I settled in afraid to go any closer due to an open woods. I called and the gobbling began again and went quiet.

I waited and called again and two gobbles exploded the woods. I waited and the next gobble was closer. I called and received an answer. I shut up and resisted the temptation to call again.

Time crept forward and I believed he was sneaking in on me. Suddenly, to my left and CLOSE I heard him gobble. One of those close gobbles that  you make jump internally. I could see his head through some low multiflora roses. I couldn’t see his beard. The turkey was about 18 yards away. He was the dominant bird.

Another gobbler appeared  and I could readily see his beard. I feared this bird would see me soon and give an alarm putt. The shot was 22 yards and , at least,  five turkeys exploded into the air.

The turkey, I harvested was a two-year old tom with 7/8 inch spurs and a 9  7/8 inch beard.  Needless to say I was happy since I had been out, at least a couple of hours,  every morning since the gobbler opener.                                                         

    (Ferocious Calls– Full Choke box call)