Opening Day 2008

Up at 4am, open the door to a thick fog at 4:20. 

Arrive at hunting spot at 5:05 – supposed to meet Chet at 5:15. Stand in the fog drinking coffee until 5:19 – Shuler’s late. Think of calling him, but he arrives immediately after. 

Chet had been here the day before for the youth season and heard a bird just off the north property line of the farm we have permission to hunt. Plan is to head there and hope we can call the bird to us – assuming he is roosted in the same spot.

At first light, hear a gobbler off to the southeast. Waiting to hear the bird to the north, but it never happened. Bird to the southeast gobbling constantly.  Just after flydown time, we pack up and head south to try to get closer to the gobbling bird. 

When we get to the corner of the field, bird hollers from about 100 yards away – but over there is a small valley and ridge between us and the bird. I set up with the decoy near the edge of the field, Chet moves forward about 60 yards – just on the other side of the valley. 

Once I see Chet set up, I let out some yelps – GOOOBBBBBBLLLLEEE!. Call again – he hammers back.  I’m thinking we are in serious business. Then I hear a hen or hunter yelping between us and the gobbler, so I cut and yelp right back. Gobbler gobbling, hen/hunter yelping/cutting, Rob calling, Carolers caroling (wait-different story)- quite the racket. 

After calling back and forth with the hunter/hen, I shut up, thinking if it’s a hunter, he’s in the right spot, if it’s a hen, our only hope is for her to come to us. After 5 minutes or so, it sounds like the hunter/hen has moved, so now I’m thinking hen. 

Start calling again -hen and gobbler are answering. Hen is getting closer and so is gobbler – now they are on the ridge across the valley from me, but I can’t see them. I see Chet adjust his aim to the left. 

Then I catch movement near the bottom of the valley – the hen is just about even with Chet and coming my way. Hen closes to within 20 yards and there’s no cover between us – hope the camo holds out. Then I see the gobbler where I first saw the hen – he struts and gobbles a few times – apparently not happy is girlfriend is coming over to me. 

So now the hen is standing by my decoy about 10 yards to my right, and the gobbler is even with Chet about 60 yards in front of me. I’m thinking Chet should be shooting any time as I can see him lined up on the bird and the bird just standing there. Then it looks like the gobbler is going to come across to my side of the valley as he moves about 10 feet and stops.   

KAPOW! 

Bird drops – no flapping – nothing. I turn to look at the hen – she didn’t know what happened and is still standing there-unalarmed. I hear Chet pump the gun and the hen goes on alert, then:

KAPOW! 

Look back over and gobbler is still on the ground, Chet stands up, hen takes off. Chet and I meet at the bird – smiles all around. Turns out the gobbler lifted his head back up and Chet took the insurance shot. High fives, story telling, tag the bird, talk about how we have to start bringing a camera (like we always talk about). Look at the watch – 7:03 am. Moved my ladder stand to the South end of the farm and hunted our way back North – didn’t hear anything else. I headed off to the apartments, Chet headed to the check-in station and taxidermist.  

Pretty nice opening day.