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Neglectful with My Entries

September 24, 2024 by larrysmailart

I have been very neglectful of posts recently. Why? Five weeks ago, this day I had a very bad fall while going fishing at the Allegheny River. My injuries were at a level where I could barely walk, and even more pain was involved during the getting up out a chair or bed. Needless to say, hiking was few once the pain receded to a more tolerable level. The opioids allowed me to function at all. And even then, two miles was all I would walk.

I did get out a few times recently to fish again and I have had some fun. Jim G., a friend from church and I have hit the waters some. Species caught by us has been Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Suckers, catfish and Soft-shelled Turtles.

Carp

Catfish

Sucker

While hiking and fishing I have seen bald Eagles, Ospreys, Wild Turkeys, many Deer and many othe species of wildlife. I hope to increase my movements soon.

To add to my injury issues, I managed to hook onto a cold somewhere. I am still getting over those symptoms, as well. Oh well!

While struggling with the leg issues I began to revamp the garage with fresh paint and remodeling some easy ideas. Even then I had an issue to deal with. I was on a step ladder reaching to the top of the garage walls when suddenly I was on the cement. The ladder twisted and bent some and I left an impression of a head in the dry wall. It looked like someone threw a softball against the wall. Lucky for me my head didn’t hit where a stud was located. I guess life can always get worse.

Even with all of these issues to deal with I have been playing music a lot. My art has suffered greatly this year. I have not been inspired at all.

Turtlehead..a native wildflower.

Posted in Fishing, Wildflowers, Wildlife | Leave a Comment »

The Apostle Peter’s Gentile Visit

August 26, 2024 by larrysmailart

A Study of Peter’s Gentile Visit.

By Larry A. Smail

The story of the Apostle Peter’s visit to a home of Gentiles is a very, very important study. However, one needs to carefully study and understand the events prior to his visit, as well as his words and later actions during the visit and finally the reason why the Lord pushed Peter towards this important meeting. Once the ramifications of Peter’s Gentile event are rightfully divided at the proper places in scripture other New Testament events become much clearer to grasp.

In order to disseminate Peter’s visit, we need to know some of the man’s history and the power of his Jewish beliefs. Peter, prior to becoming one of Jesus’ disciples, and during, was a strong law-keeping Jew. Briefly in the Acts 10 chapter he states some important truths to prove this fact. First, he says of never eating anything unclean. This occurred with the vision of a large sheet with unclean animals. Leviticus 11 in scripture lists all unclean and clean animals for Jewish consumption under Mosaic Law. He, also, reminded the Gentiles the fact of a Jew visiting a Gentile being illegal. More details on these two realities of scripture later.

Peter’s reluctance to attend the Gentile home was furthered rooted with some important words of Christ himself. Few reading the Bible will read the following verses with understanding preferring to glance over them without thought. In Matthew 10 Jesus told the disciples the following words shown below. Scripturally, he never reneged on those words to them. Peter would have remembered those words of Christ further confusing him about this push to visit a Gentile.

Matthew 10: 5-6, Jesus told them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.”  He added, preach that the kingdom is at hand.

Why would Christ say those words?  The answer, actually, is quite simple. The “earthly” ministry of Jesus had one major goal…to prove to Israel that he was their Promised One and if they believed he would usher in the kingdom on earth and be their King. (This is the gospel of the kingdom.) Paul wrote these important words in Romans 15: 8-9; “Christ became a servant (Minister in some translations) to the circumcised (Jews) to show God’s truthfulness made unto the fathers, in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. (Grace)

Peter, as a man educated in Old Testament scripture and prophecy, would have known of the Exodus 19 verses that told of Israel’s potential if they would believe the Lord. Exodus 19: 5-6 states; “Now therefore if you (Israel) will obey my voice and keep my covenant, (Promise) you SHALL be my own possession among all peoples; for the all the earth is mine, and you SHALL be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”  At a future time, the Jews, if they’d obey the Lord, would go the Gentiles with God’s word. Also, see Isaiah 49: 6 for similar words. Here Israel was to be “a light of the Gentiles…” Peter would refer to the believing Jews in 1 Peter 2: 4-10 as a “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” See how the Lord’s words to Moses and Peter’s words fit together.

The Great Commission and Peter’s Sermons to the Jews

Keeping in mind the words above as to Israel’s Exodus 19 potential we must determine exactly what Jesus meant with his words of going to all nations to make disciples. The reason for Jesus’ words was to have his disciples continue to preach of the gospel of the kingdom to Israel and convince the Jews of Israel to believe on Christ and then they were to go out among the nations as that great commission. Those words, however, are almost universally misunderstood as for the Christians to go to all nations. However, I agree that in itself is not a bad thing at all.

Reality time: Peter’s sermons were for the Jews to preach of the gospel of the kingdom. This is provable with many of Peter’s words. We did the study of Peter’s sermons in the past. We need to study carefully! One example to prove who Peter was directing his sermons to is found in Acts 2: 36. Here he states of ALL the house of Israel. There is no Gentile talk here. Israel was to turnaround from their unbelief of Christ allowing for their rejection of Christ; be cleansed as per Mosaic Law by believing that Jesus was their King then he would return and usher in the kingdom once the belief of the Jews was full. Once Israel had repented of their unbelief and accepted Christ, they would begin the process of going to other nations and convince those Jews. Only then would all Jews be that light to go to all the Gentiles. Their failure introduced Paul, via the Risen Christ, to do their job!

Also, in Luke 24: 44 we read as part of the great commission of Jesus saying; “These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”                                     2.

Peter and the other disciples would all have known this without question for Jesus had never reneged of the words of going to only the Lost Sheep of Israel.

NOTE: From scripture Jesus made only two exceptions towards Gentiles.

More proof of the accuracy of the words written above can be found in scripture.

First, Peter preaches to the Jews in his sermons, Secondly, he made sure those Gentiles of Acts 10 were well aware of the illegality for a Jew to be in a home of the Gentile. The Jerusalem Council, through Peter’s Gentile experience and his words, would convince the believing Pharisees and disciples who were demanding Mosaic Law to Paul’s saved Gentiles. More later on these subjects

Acts 10   (Peter’s visit to Gentiles)

At Caesarea lived a man named, Cornelius. He was a Gentile, of the Italian cohort or regiment, and a devout centurion who feared the Lord as did his household. He prayed and gave alms. (We can only speculate as to how this man came to this revelation in God’s word. I, personally, believe a sovereign Lord supernaturally inspired Cornelius for his soon coming plan towards the Gentiles. Could Cornelius have been in Jerusalem as a Roman centurion during Christ’s’ crucifixion? Witnessing this event may have stirred his search for the Lord. Also, God would later use Peter and this experience to aid Paul, the Apostles of the Gentiles at the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15, and Galatians 2. More on this conference later.)

NOTE: Caesarea was a predominately Roman city along the Mediterranean Sea in Judea. Archaeologists have uncovered a building stone with the name Pontus Pilate inscribed on it.

An angel approached Cornelius via a vision. This happened during prayer at the ninth hour or three o’clock.  He was in terror at first. However, he asked, “What is it, Lord?” (Was Jesus the one in this vision? Note the capitol L in Lord in some translations like the Geneva Bible.) Cornelius was told his prayers had reached God. He sent two servants and a trusted soldier, who also feared God, to Joppa to bring the man named Peter who is staying with Simon, the tanner.

NOTE: Joppa was an ancient city along the Mediterranean Sea about 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem.   

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The next day, around noon, a hungry Peter, on the rooftop, fell into a trance and saw visions from the Lord including creatures considered “unclean” under Jewish law. (See Leviticus 11.) The vision was of a descending great sheet with many species of unclean animals, birds, and reptiles on it. (You can readily see Peter’s Jewish legalistic approach at this time. Jews were forbidden to eat unclean foods and the law-keeping, Peter abided with the Mosaic Law.)

The words heard were, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”  Peter argued he had never eaten unclean food. He heard the words, ” What God has cleansed, you must not call common.“ However, the Lord persisted with two more showings of the vision. Peter, at this time, still did not completely understand the message.

At that same time the arrival of Cornelius’ servants occurred. The Spirit told Peter that men had arrived, and don’t hesitate for I have sent them. (The Spirit did not tell Peter the three men were Gentiles. Imagine Peter’s shock, for before the man stood Gentiles, and one was even a Roman soldier!) The men explained to Peter what had happened with Cornelius, as well as the kind of man he was.

NOTE: The Lord was using this vision event to begin educating Peter that there is no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. Things were changing in God’s plan and Peter would be used in this plan at a future time.

Peter, and some other Jewish believers, traveled to Caesarea and would enter the forbidden Gentile home. (Peter, no doubt, wanted fellow believing Jews to be witnesses as to what was about to happen, although Peter himself did not, yet know at that time what was to happen.)

Cornelius had gathered some friends and family to his home. At the entrance into the home, Cornelius bowed to them, but Peter told him to stand up for he, too, was a man! Peter mentioned the fact of it being unlawful for this meeting with a Gentile to be happening under Jewish law, but God has shown him that no man is common, or unclean. (Peter was going against Jewish law. See additional note of the thinking of the time below. Page 6.)

Cornelius told the story as to what had happened to him with the Angel of the Lord, and his sending of the men to locate Peter.

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Peter began his sermon stating. “Truly, I perceive that God shows no partiality…” He told the Gentiles the story concerning Jesus who God sent to Israel. (See Romans 15:8) Peter talked on the word being proclaimed to Israel after the baptism John preached. (This is known as the Baptism of repentance.) He continued of Christ’s anointing; the healings, miracles which they had witnessed.

Peter added words about Jesus being crucified and his resurrection from the tomb after three days and nights. Peter told them of seeing Christ after the resurrection. Christ told them that they were to preach Jesus was the Promised One and everyone who believed in his name received forgiveness of sins. Before Peter had finished his sermon the Holy Spirit immediately came upon the Gentile believers. THEY HAD BELIEVED ONLY!  NO WORKS! This happened before Peter had completed his sermon! Peter, and those present Jews were amazed at this event…the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit by only believing!  (In their minds only, Jewish believers could receive this gift, and now the heathen Gentile dogs were observed receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit!)

IMPORTANT: These Gentiles were baptized in the name of Jesus “AFTER” they had received the Holy Spirit. In earlier Acts 2: 38 we saw the opposite. Once a Jew believed and was baptized then the Holy Spirit would become reality. Also, in early Acts the JEWS were to repent of their unbelief leading to crucifixion before becoming cleansed. Peter only knew what he was told and that was to baptize, purify or cleanse them in water as per Mosaic Law despite these people being Gentiles. However, his actions were not necessary.

Holy Spirit Baptism

Acts 1: 5, Jesus spoke the following. “For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit within these few days.”  Notice the difference.

John the Baptist said the following in Matthew 3:11. John said, “… but he who is coming… he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

These Gentiles received a HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM!  CHANGES ARE HAPPENING!!!!

5.

Paul’s words from Acts 19: 2-6 asked some believers if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed? They said they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul asked them about baptism and the believers said it was through John’s baptism. Paul said, “John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe in him, which should come after him that is, in Christ Jesus.”  Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came onto them. These disciples now received their Holy Spirit Baptism.

The Thinking of the Time.

NOTE: According to William Barclay, it was common for a Jewish man to begin the day with a prayer thanking God that he was not a slave, a Gentile, or a woman.

A basic part of the Jewish religion in the days of the New Testament was an oath that promised that one would never help a Gentile under any circumstances, such as giving directions if they were asked. But it went even as far as refusing to help a Gentile woman at the time of her greatest need – when she was giving birth – because the result would only be to bring another Gentile into the world.

If a Jew married a Gentile, the Jewish community would have a funeral for the Jew and consider them dead. It was thought that to even enter the house of a Gentile made a Jew unclean before God. Ancient Jewish writings tell us of a Gentile woman who came to a rabbi. She confessed that she was a sinner and asked to be admitted to the Jewish faith. “Rabbi,” she said, “bring me near.” The Rabbi refused and simply shut the door in her face.

But the Gentiles could give as bad as they got from the Jews. Gentiles despised Jews as weird traditionalists and believed that they were evil plotters who worshipped pigs. After all, they thought, Jews refused to eat pork, so they must worship pigs!

All of this began to change with the spread of Paul’s gospel of Grace. Christianity was the first religion to disregard racial, cultural, and national limitations.

The Jerusalem Council

I find a little information of this great meeting to be vital to demonstrate how the Jesus-believing Jews were still law-keepers and NOT believers of Christ by faith

6.

only as preached to the Gentiles by Paul. Brief council results were recorded in Acts 15 and Galatians 2. The meeting consisted of much debate and argument. The meeting occurred approximately twenty years after the cross. Notice the disciples and others were still steeped under Jewish law. Those Jews in attendance demanded of the Gentiles in Acts 15: 5, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.” Paul would NOT submit to their demands for Mosaic Law on his saved Gentiles. The council shows the readers of a distinct separation in the two gospels of the times…the gospel of the kingdom directed to the Jews and the gospel of Grace to both Gentiles and Jews. Unfortunately, we still see many trying to place both gospels “as if placed into a blender with attempts to make it all pour out as one message.” Why? The disciples were continuing preaching the kingdom to Jews as directed by the Lord himself.

Peter eventually rose and spoke. Verses seven through 11. “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of gospel and believe. And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did too us; and he made no distinction between us and them but cleansed their hearts by faith.

Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke (Mosaic Law) upon the necks of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”   Peter’s message at this meeting turned the others to accept Paul’s message of Grace through faith and not the law of Moses.

There it is! Peter was told to go the Gentile Cornelious for one reason and that was to save Paul’s gospel of grace years into the future at this meeting. True Christianity would be saved and move on. However, Peter apparently does not abandon Mosaic law, but he seems to be better with understanding Gentile salvation. However, in his two epistles it is easy to see a different Peter preaching on faith and grace. See below from Peter’s own words.

Peter Condemned by Paul

Beginning with Galatians 2:11, Paul condemned Peter while they were together at an event with Gentiles. Peter seems to be in a transition time between law-keeping

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and faith only grace. Certain men sent from James showed up, possibly, checking up on Peter. Once Peter noticed their arrival, he separated himself from the Gentiles and began to act strictly Jewish. Scripture states Peter feared the circumcision party. Even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity. Paul would have nothing to do with their actions and expressed himself forcibly.

Peter’s Difficulty with Grace Only

Peter’s words in 2 Peter 3: 14-18 say much of the times. His strong indoctrination of Judaism is still present in his later years causing the man some understanding issues with Paul’s grace by faith only words. The verses: “Therefore beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation. So also, our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some THINGS IN THEM HARD TO UNDERSTAND…” (I believe the Book of Hebrews was this writing to Jews written by Paul.)

Peter’s two scriptural letters were written to the Jews of the Dispersion.  (See 1 Peter 1: 1 and 2 Peter 3: 1.) These Jews had been dispersed to other countries years ago and continued to live out their lives within established Jewish communities. Peter, apparently, had begun to reach out to Jews outside of Israel.

8.

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Some Fishing Time

July 31, 2024 by larrysmailart

Softshell Turtle

I haven’t entered much to my site as of late. I have been fishing early some mornings at the Allegheny River and Keystone Lake. I caught Smallmouth Bass, Bluegills, Pumpkinseeds, Sheepshead, Catfish and Yellow Perch.

Smallmouth Bass

Freshwater Drum or Sheepshead

Catfish

I thought the colors and shapes made an interesting photo.

Female Common Merganser

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Ia Drang Battle (Vietnam War)

July 14, 2024 by larrysmailart

As a student in school, I didn’t truly understand the possibility of going to war. I believe I occasionally thought about but was naive to the fact that I could be sent to Vietnam after I graduated. The horror just didn’t sink in!

However, prior to my graduation the war was coming to an end for America and the draft had been stopped.

I just completed reading the book shown above about the Ia Drang conflict with the North Vietnamese. I quickly learned my knowledge of that war and especially this battle was far from being complete. The American forces were greatly outnumbered. The blood, death, carnage and the wounded were great. The bravery of the young men really impressed me. The battle details were unbelievable, and one can’t help wondering how anybody survived. Mel Gibson starred as Lt. General Harold (Hal) Moore in the movie titled, “WE WERE SOLDIERS.” I have seen the movie but look forward to seeing the film again now that I have some knowledge as to what had happened.

I have questions! What would I have been like in the war scene? Could I have been a brave American soldier? I want to think I would have been a brave young man and fought bravely. Lucky for me I will never know.

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Stroke Update!

July 4, 2024 by larrysmailart

On this July 4th, Day of Independence, an update of my 94-year-old, mother’s three-week health ordeal seemed appropriate. Many ask! On my last entry, I recorded a few facts of her stroke from June 13. Well, yesterday July 3, we brought her back to her home. The weeks of rehab worked wonders. She is not out of the woods yet, so to speak. It was discovered her blood platelets were close to 900,000. To compare, the high end of the normal range is 400,000. Through the chemo meds she recently began they were down to the 600,000 range as per Tuesday.

Overall, she has improved tremendously. However, the light dementia issues she had prior to the stroke will not be cured by any meds. She is allowed to walk with a walker or assistance for now, mainly as a precautionary measure. Her memory from years ago is amazing.

So, the only question now is to wonder what is next.

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Stroke

June 18, 2024 by larrysmailart

Last Wednesday evening. June 12, my sister called. She arrived home around 9:15 to find my mother on the kitchen floor in an awkward position and nonresponsive. She asked for me to come out and try to pick her up. I said I would be out but call 911 immediately. Interestingly, my mother called me around 8:45 or so.

The ambulance got to her home just a few minutes after I arrived. She was taken to the hospital where it was determined she had had a bad stroke. She couldn’t move her limbs or speak at all. She didn’t recognize myself and my sister. A specialist came on a screen, and it was decided to offer her special stroke medicine. This medicine had to be administered within four hours and by this time three hours had elapsed.

The nurse would continually request her to smile and raise her arms and legs. Prior to two in the morning, we were seeing positive results. She was transferred to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

Every visit would see improvements, but her speaking was sometimes slurred a bit, but overall, we could understand maybe seventy-five percent of her speech.

It was very difficult for me to see my mother in these conditions. However, I realize at 94 and a half years of age anything could happen. She was to be transferred to a rehab unit.

As I was typing this entry, (June 18) the phone rang and Forbes said her therapy went very well and a transfer to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania or locally here in Kittanning were possibilities. Insurance and authorization issues always are a problem to deal with.

Hopefully, sometime today, my mother will be transferred to either of these faculties where friends and family can be more readily available to visit.

UPDATE: Mom, as of this afternoon, went to Allegheny Valley Hospital to begin rehab.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Success!

May 28, 2024 by larrysmailart

I set up before five A.M. to hopefully hear some gobblers nearby. Well, just prior to six, I heard a gobbler, but he wasn’t nearby. He sounded far of, probably, in posted land, but possibly just outside of the line. I had to go down over the back side of the hill to work towards the bird without going into the posted land.

After I reached the end of the posted land I called and heard a gobbler. He was downslope in property I have been given permission to hunt turkeys on. He answered twice and I reversed my position to try to lure him into the open woods. However, he moved downhill eventually crossing a township road and a creek before trekking upslope. I went after him and circled around trying to get above him, but I settled for slightly below his gobbling. Moving any higher on the hill would be risky.

My mother, Ruth trying to hold up the gobbler. It was funny!

I called very little as the bird went silent. After some time, he gobbled close to me but below me. I readied the 870 Remington. Frustrating to me when he began gobbling farther below my position. I couldn’t risk moving but I tried another call sound…slate!

He seemed to like that sound and began climbing upslope to my calling site. I was ready!

The shot was at twenty-nine yards. The gobbler weighed a little over twenty-one pounds. The beard was ten and three-quarters inches in length. The spurs were one and one-eighth inches long. It was a little over three hours from when I first heard the gobble covering two hills.

The bad part was the mile long walk back to the jeep. The exertion caused as asthma coughing spell for ten minutes.

I stopped at my mother’s as per tradition. She struggled to pick the bird up. She was smiling from ear to ear!

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Another Early Quit …Found a Fawn!

May 22, 2024 by larrysmailart

Of course, the gobbling was on the next hill again. I crossed over after the birds had quit gobbling. (They only gobbled maybe eight times each.) I felt confident once I arrived, I would be able to spark a conversation. I think they invoked the Fifth amendment for I would never spark any responses from either bird.

However, I did find a fawn curled up in hiding I suppose. I took some photos.

The allergies hit me hard, so I moved around the hill to get to the jeep and head home. I hate the allergies. I won’t be hunting tomorrow.

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One Very Interesting Gobbler Season

May 19, 2024 by larrysmailart

Rattlesnake Plantain

May 15, 2024

What a day! I had an answer around 6:30 or so. The two gobblers circled my position and dropped down over the hill some. I would work those two birds until I left at 11:40 A.M. Several times they would come to the rim of the hill and almost come up over, but they never did. Four or five times the shotgun was leveled with my finger in preparation to push off the safety, but they never showed. Why? The gobblers were right there but never showed. Again, I ask …why?

Thursday, I had a medical appointment, so hunting was not to be.

May 17, 2024

The landowner’s grandson was going to hunt the property for a couple of days so I went a little south to see what might happen in the hunt. That way he would have complete control of the morning. He would get a gobbler on Saturday after the rain had stopped. Just as I reached the summit and began to move along the flat. I heard a gobble that was barely audible. I would make a move to attempt to pinpoint his whereabouts. I knew he was across the road and creek and after only three gobbles, I elected to not go after the bird. I moved north along the ridge to listen.

I sat against a gas well tank and dozed off a few times. Later a gobbler answered my call but only once. I waited around hoping for a clue as to how to hunt this bird. His positioning was downhill below a field. Directly below the bird was a home and as luck would have it the owner decided this morning would be a great time to do some weed whacking. The other neighbor decided to start up his backhoe and pound some fence posts. Did the noise curtail the gobbler’s mood? Maybe!

It didn’t much matter for the allergies had corrupted my eyes with itching and burning and I decided to call it a morning around 9:30.

I didn’t hunt on Saturday, May 18th.

May 20, 2024

After a silent early morning I chose to head farther south to try to strike up a conversation with a gobbler. It kinda worked!

I called sharply and loudly and heard a response far off in property I didn’t have access to. However, the bird. on the opposite hill, came closer and gave me a little hope, but after a period of calmness and another loud call, I realized the bird had gone up and over and was now walking away. I decided to cross this big hollow and try other places. I did see a hen walking about

Interestingly, near noon I received a gobble reply. I moved in close, and the bird was silent. Nothing could induce a gobble. This was, most likely, the same gobbler I worked a couple of late mornings. He would move on. I believed a hen may be walking away to reduce my competition.

After a long wait and short nap, I moved uphill and made a huge circle around a home area. I called and heard a gobbler. The actions were identical to the previous one. I surmised the hen moved along the hill with the gobbler in tow. I arrived at the jeep at 1:30, very warm. It was 82 degrees.

I dealt off and on with allergies and the burning and itchy eyes. I carry eye drops with me now in order to keep the agony down to a minimum. Of course, I have seen deer every day I have been hunting. Today I saw a four-point buck. Many deer have their orange-red summer hair, but not all.

May 21. 2024

As seems to be the case. the gobbler I heard very early was way off and on another hill. He gobbled three times total. I was debating a course of action when a second bird gobbled closer. I hurried to the edge of the hillside and realized he was across the road on the other side. I moved as quick as an old coot can but couldn’t locate the bird on the roost. He gobbled some but had moved far off.

I went to the top of the hill and heard a truck coming up the gas line road. On top and in a field, I bumped a longbeard and his hen friend. I began a long tour of neighboring hills trying to locate a bird to reply. Nothing happened they were shut mouth!

Allergies and bugs along with the heat forced a quit.

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2024 Gobbler Season Continued

May 13, 2024 by larrysmailart

May 10, 2024

I thought I would fill a tag! The first gobble I heard was at 5:25 A.M. The thunder was behind me, and I quickly made a move to locate the gobbler. I would soon hear a second gobbler. I worked to around a hundred yards maybe less.

Finding a good calling site was difficult. A number of trees had come down years ago so possible hang ups could be possible. I chose a site where I could watch a grassy gas line road. The one bird was roosting just upslope of the gas well. Rain was an option I didn’t care to deal with, but rain has been common this May. I would become quite damp during this standoff.

Across the road is an open wood. I feared trying to move into it but I should have tried with hindsight. I later saw the two gobblers at eight-four yards. (I would return the next morning and used a rangefinder.) The birds were right there about ten yards from the grassy road. I felt some confidence! However, as with turkey hunting always is, the birds do unexplainable things. These two were no different.

They crossed the road and entered into the open woods previous mentioned. There is a gulley there and there is where they made the stand. To the side of the grassy road is a fifty or so feet area of Multiflora Rose. I could not see them due the rose brambles and the contour of the terrain. They gobbled and gobbled. I tried various calls and patient waiting with silence. Nothing worked and after three hours in totality they quit and wandered off. I left at almost nine o’clock, wet, cold and cramped. By the way, using the range finder I learned these birds hung around the thirty-five-to-forty-yard distances. And they stayed in that gulley for over an hour!

One question for me is why they did not use the grassy road? The two birds were right beside it. The second question is why they didn’t simply walk around the multiflora rose area? That is why they call it hunting and not getting, I guess.

May 11, 2024

I knew entering the woods this morning my hunt would be short. I had commitments in preparation for the Sunday, Mother’s Day cook out at the house. Of course, if I gobblers came in front of me, I would stay out longer! I was disappointed upon hearing gobbling deep into posted property. The first gobble was at 5:18 A.M. I hung around listening and calling in the area until nine o’clock. I did see deer, a Fisher and a Racoon. We would have a nice Mother’s Day get-together on May 12.

May 13, 2024

What a turkey day this turned out to be buy yet I didn’t see any turkeys so, apparently, I didn’t harvest a bird. How does this happen?

There was no turkey activity on the property I was hunting, however I could hear several gobblers far off into posted lands. Around 6:10 I could hear a gobbler on the same hill as I was hunting but in the posted land. But, he was on the flat of the hill. I elected to hunt below the posted land and try to call loud enough the gobbler might respond. It worked!

Although I failed to check the time, I surmise I heard the reply around 6:40 or so. The bird circled my position and was joined with a second gobbler. The gobblers dropped over a contour on the hill. I moved in and called. I received many answers. Throughout a few hours the gobblers came almost to the point where I would be able to get a shot, but for some reason they wouldn’t commit.

After ten, the birds quit, and I suspected one may have been viewing my movement to relieve a potential Charlie Horse. Just as I believed I had been spotted; the birds gobbled again farther to the right. I tried maneuvering tactics to get below the birds and below that hill contour.

I tried many position changes and various styles of calling. I would get an answer or two then silence. I’d wait a few minutes, call again and hear the replies only to become silent. I tried the silent treatments on the turkeys, too, but to no avail.

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