I went out this morning to one of my little ace-in-the-hole spots and ran into to this guy. He gobbled really good on the roost, but once he flew down he shut up. I thought he had hens. I closed the distance on him, made a couple quick set ups until he'd gobble and I'd pinpoint him. About 6:15 I got across the draw from him, about 100 yards away. I played it real cool, a few yelps every now and again, clucks and purrs. He probably only gobbled ten times on the ground. After about 15 minutes in the last set up, I clucked a few times and he gobbled on my side of the draw. For the next five minutes I could hear him spit as he was strutting toward me. Finally I saw his little blue head, but because of the low light I thought he was farther than he was. I thought I'd just let him keep strutting in, but he broke strut and turned to walk away. Cluck and purr turned him back toward me, full strut. I let him come to 25 yards and shot him when he broke strut. He's a really small turkey, a 2 year old that was the product of a late hatch it looks like. Who cares, right? He's a longbeard that came in strutting.
Too bad my younger brother wasn't with me. He's had some close calls and has yet to seal the deal.
Thanks to the guys who came up to me after I shot and took these pictures. Hope the one gentleman found his gun he left by some tree. (Not kidding)
