Well last weekend was a bit on the windy side, but we managed another bird. This particular group of birds I have dubbed Mr. Happy and the gang due to all the gobbling they do from across a giant drainage I hunt. A few years ago I found a way to get over to them but it involves a 5 mile forced march up the same ridge line they are on. In the three years I have hunted these birds I have never struck a bird in that 5 mile stretch so I just start early, put my head down and go. I'm sure there are birds in there but I don't mess with birds I don't hear.
So we get up to where Mr. Happy and his gang hang out and the wind is already starting to howl. We hear a gobble on the wind and figure he is close since we actually can hear him. We set up, give some loud cuts and he fires off again! We cut hard again and then go quiet! I don't ever set up in big meadows or clearings as they seem to just hang birds up but on this bird we really didn't have an option. He strutted and gobbled his way through 200yds of green meadow before he stopped at 25yds right down the barrel of my buddies shotgun! What a great show! This was a very old bird! For a mountain merriams he had unbelievable spurs! Could even be the original Mr. Happy with as much as he gobbled! Never struck a bird the rest of the weekend though.
