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.
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.
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!
Of course, the gobbling was on the next hill again. I crossed over after the birds had quit gobbling. (Theyonly 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.
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.
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.
Dogwood Blossom(The Dogwwod blossoms are early this year as is the leaf out of the trees.)
The season is upon me. I walked through the dim grays of the first morning in a state of wonderment. I wondered if I was going to become sick as last year’s season. I wondered if I would hear or see any gobbles this morning. I wondered what the poor people are doing today. ha-ha
I set up along a field’s edge to listen for roosting birds. I didn’t need long to wait. I heard gobblers at 5:45 to my left. Another across the field in the woods sounded off. This could be an interesting morning.
I made a move to close the distance on the birds on my left. I called and was immediately answered. I glanced at my watch and the time was 6:00. I looked up and two gobblers entered into the field at about forty yards, maybe less. I couldn’t see their beards for the field grasses were high. The two stopped in the field gobbling and strutting. I continued working with them and they approached a little. I mindfully said just ten more yards…
As what often happens with turkey hunting, the birds began t leave the area. they would still gobble. They were doing what they are programed to do…gobble and strut and have the hens come to them. I couldn’t move so they tired of the game.
Hepatica
Later I began a call and listen approach while searching for Morel mushrooms. I fortunately found a lunch for the next day.
Morel Mushroom
I later stimulated the gobbler across the road now, but unfortunately, I had to walk away for a commitment at the Armstrong County Historical Society Museum.
Interestingly, I saw a Bobwhite Quail this day. I suspect someone nearby maybe raises them.
May 5, 2024
I hoped to hear the gobblers this second morning with a little better strategy. I heard nothing as the rain began pre-dawn. I became wet but stayed out most of the morning by walking ad calling hoping to stir up an anxious gobbler. Nothing!
I found a baby porcupine and was lucky to obtain a few photos. Also, I saw a Barred Owl.
Baby Porcupine
May 7, 2024
I was disappointed to not hear any turkeys on the third day. I went to a secondary place at around 9:30 and could not get a reply to my calling. I did find a Box Turtle.
Squawroot
May 8, 2024
The gobbling began at 5:30 across the road and upslope. I moved fast and managed to get behind the birds at their level. The birds circled me on a flat. I couldn’t see them, but they were close. In time they seemed to be leaving until I changed calls. That brought them back towards me. I quickly realized two large trees between us might be a problem.
The lead gobbler stepped out followed by a strutter. The lead bird began putting and I messed up and missed. I am not sure what all may have happened. I did have bifocal glasses on, and it was still dark in the woods. Whatever, I missed. In all my years of hunting turkeys this would be only the second time I have missed a spring gobbler. I was disappointed!
I left to go farther south and as I called at the summit two gobblers answered me. Surprisingly, each time I called they replied and moved. The two gobblers were on the opposite hill. they angled downslope, crossed a gulley with a stream and came up the hill I was on. I was ready until a hen appeared and went to the birds. They answered my calls some but not as enthusiastically. Oh well!
I crossed down the hill and up the other side. I saw a gobbler way off walking along a fence line. I was almost to the top of this hill when I heard a distant gobbler twice. However, they saw my approach.
Later I went into the woods and received an answer across a hollow. I played with those two gobblers until 11:50. Quitting time is noon. the birds kept walking along the hill, and I followed. I believe they were with a hen, and she was leading them away. I got back to the jeep at 12:45, warm and tired.
Turkey Egg
May 9, 2024
I heard the first gobbles at 5:25 A.M. The bird talked with three or four gobbles. Unfortunately, he was deep in posted property. I crossed the road and went up the hill following the borders. I tried to get a reply, but he was, no doubt, on the next hill. I hoped he might hear and come. I left and went to a site south trying for a repeat of yesterday morning’s event. I heard a gobbler far off inside property I didn’t have access with. he gobbled maybe six times.
I crossed the deep hollow and up the next hill hoping here to have a repeat performance. I did have a reply around 10:15 and began moving in. It didn’t take long to realize hen(s) were involved again. She, apparently, kept walking away from her competitor. (Me). They eventually crossed a road, and the time was 11: 15. I began the mile long trek to the jeep.
Deer were everywhere this day. Most have their red summer hair, but not all of them do. I would see a raccoon and rabbit too.
Lucky me, for I managed to get out for a few hours to fish for trout. Reality is I needed some time along the streams. Catching anything would be a bonus. Sunday afternoon, April 28, found me heading for Pine Creek. I told Laurie I hope there would not be a lot of fishermen. There were more than I wanted to compete with.
I parked and walked slowly through a sea of Skunk cabbage hoping to find solitude. I did for a little time until fishermen started showing up. I elected to explore and quit fishing.
Dwarf Ginseng
I fished about an hour. I could see a nice Palamino trout under a rock, but I couldn’t lure the beauty to my rig. I walked around taking photos and went to Cowanshannock and a lot of cars were viewed.
The following day after I ran some errands and had a haircut I went to Patterson Run. A much more enjoyable time for me. No fishermen! I caught some beautiful Rainbow Trout. Of course, I practice catch and release, so the beauties were all released.
One of the Rainbow Trout.
To get to the water I had to walk downhill through the woods to the stream. The woods along the trail I walked was colored a beautiful springtime vivid green. I would see a deer, Canada Geese and their goslings, and a snake of an unknown species. I caught a glimpse as it completed the hiding under an old stump. I spotted the snake briefly because I head it moving in the dry leaves.
I took my mother to lower Ford City, Pennsylvania for her semiannual checkup. For ninety-four years of age the medical doctor expressed how well she is doing physically. Dementia issues are sneaking into her thoughts sometimes leading to saying things or seeing things. Oh well, over all it is not yet causing a lot of problems.
During her appointment time I made a short walk along the Allegheny River. I hoped to see a bald eagle flying through for a photo op.
Red-Tailed Hawk Nest
We stopped for breakfast before heading back to her home. I changed my pants to an anti-tick pair and made a short jaunt near the homestead. I hoped with finding some morels. The first sighting of interest was a shadow of a flying bird across the forest floor. I looked up and saw a Red-tailed Hawk landing in a tree close by. I knew by the bird’s actions a nest had to be nearby. I quickly spotted the nest as the hawk flew about screeching at me.
A short distance later I saw a ribcage of a deer followed by a nice rack among the vegetation. I couldn’t help wondering just what may have occurred leading to the deer’s demise…Bad shot, injury from a vehicle… It is doubtful if I could ever know.
The next sighting of interest was a Red Fox. Too quick for focusing but still a joy to see. As I glanced around for a possible den I walked upon a shed.
The walk was short for mowing needed to be completed for some rain is being forecasted.
The sun finally came out and I decided to go for a stroll to see what I may find. Rain, in recent days, had been continually falling causing much water and mud. The rain is helping the native wildflowers are beginning to sprout forth. I found two Robin nests both with eggs.
Wild Leeks or Ramps.
I removed around eight to ten ticks from my pants. It is time to wear my sprayed clothing. One of the little bast—- got through and I removed the beast from my side later at home. She didn’t survive!
Spring Beauty
I looked across a log and verbally and excitedly said, “Alright!” What did I see? Morels! I sat down on the ground and took some photos before picking a few. My feelings of joy quickly turned south. The third Morel I picked I notice the stem had that cottony mass inside. These were False Morels. Edible Morels have hollow stems. Morel hunters need to follow this rule. However, one person has said this specie is edible since posting. I am sticking to my rule on the hollow stem only to be safe. No ‘rooms this evening for me.
False Morel
The cottony mass in the stem. Photo isn’t clear to see the details.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 