Larry A. Smail's Blog

Recently, my good friend Dana Gould asked if I might be interested to meet up with a group of gobbler hunters and aid three men. These men were part of the Wounded warriors, an organization created to aid those veterans who have had to deal with physical and emotional issues due to military conflicts. I said I would come and the initial time together was Sunday, May 2. Plans were made and I would return the morning of May 3 to offer any assistance needed.

The following morning Dana Gould, Pat Covert of the Wounded warrior group, Rich Shillings and myself traveled to two pre-set blinds overlooking a grassy area. A hen decoy was set up. The wait would begin hoping to hear roosting gobblers. That hope didn’t happen. Rainy weather was the norm all the day. Rich periodically called as we watched. During the morning I saw a turkey head and neck in the woods about 70 yards, or so. The hen turkey came past us and temporarily challenged the decoy.

I took the time during the wait to do some ink sketches of turkey heads. I bet you didn’t see that coming!

We continued to wait when around ten o’clock, or so, we could hear a vehicle coming. The vehicle was a gas-well tender. This event allowed for a much needed chance to get out and stretch and have some nature calls.

Following the break Dana suggested the two of us move on to search out additional lands for a possible Wednesday hunt for mutual friend, Steve Sorenson. Steve is an outdoor writer with his work appearing in many publications.

We arrived at the camp close to noon. Shortly after noon, the gobbler hunting quitting time, Rich and Pat arrived with a nice three year old gobbler. The gobbler sounded off and another one did and the shot occurred at 11: 45 A.M. Many photos were taken and congratulations handed out to Pat. The other hunters and Wounded Warriors arrived around the same time period. They had seen and heard distant toms, but had no luck to work any.

I am tentatively planning on going again on Wednesday with Dana and outdoor writer, Steve Sorenson.

All the hunters were such a great group of people working closely with Christian groups.

I know how the Native Indians felt more with each passing year. I was greatly saddened to, once again, see property I had been part of all my life to become posted. I know how government pushed the natives west continually out of their homelands for many years. I have those feelings. A hunting club, now has control over much land loved by me. I am very saddened to learn of the reality. However, I still have two properties I can hunt on, but they are both separated by this new leased land so I can not cross over between them anymore.

I made the best of this and began walking along a wooded edge when I first heard distant gobbling. Eventually I set up about eighty yards from the posted line. the toms were gobbling within the posted land. I began my calling.

I soon realized the birds were down from the roost and inside this property I was hunting. I was pumped!

The terrain had a slight contour above me with plenty of Multiflora Rose. I purposely moved downslope to avoid being highlighted, now I wish I had not made the decision for the three gobblers were on the flat. I could see their movements often and the two Jakes came within range to my right side of my vision area. The other gobbler was on my left side, but I couldn’t see him. However, he moved across to the Jakes and I could not see his beard at all.

With some time the three birds went from right to left and I saw the one turkey go into a partial strut but I couldn’t tell if the bird sported a full fan or the fan of a Jake with longer middle feathers. Suddenly, an opening and I could see a longbeard through the vegetation, but briefly.

The next moments had my 870 Remington aimed at the birds, but the younger birds continued mingling around the adult gobbler. The safe was off! The longbeard became separated from the two juvenile birds, but because of grape vines I could not see his entire head and neck at the same time. The two Jakes were still moving around spoiling a shot for me. I held firm believing the big bird would allow me a safe shot any second now. His head and neck became exposed and I began the trigger squeeze only to be forced to stop again due to a sure kill of two birds.

Suddenly, they all turned and began to walk away into a field. I followed for a time hoping to change their moods again. No luck!

I circled the area trying to stir up another gobbler to no avail. Eventually I returned to the woods overlooking the field and I got an answer. Silence brought in four gobbler heads all proving to be Jakes. These birds circled around behind before returning to the field. Another call and another gobble. They four returned to me again and I enjoyed the fighting.

I went off into a Tulip Poplar areas and found a few Morel mushrooms. I kicked a hen out of a thick area, but I could not find any eggs. Upon leaving the hunt I saw the four Jakes entering the posted lands and I could see several other turkeys, too. Were they the earlier worked gobblers? I believe they were.

I may be taking a person out turkey hunting for the Wounded Warriors on Monday. Tuesday I can not hunt. Wednesday I may have other hunt plans with a well-known outdoor writer. I will know soon.