I had originally posted this in Predator hunting as I did not realize this post was going. Here it is, Hope you all enjoy as much as I have enjoyed all of the previous posts!
I traveled to Sweetwater Tx for a combo Predator and Turkey hunt on Wed March 28. The plan was to call predators for two nights and shoot some pigs before Turkey season opened on Saturday 3/31. However, you know what they say about the best laid plans... Our first two days were almost a total wash as high winds, storms, rain and hail moved through the area. I have to hand it to you guys that live on the plains of TX, I live in the path of Hurricane Katrina and that storm scared the mess out of me. A storm shelter would have been a most welcome sight, but there were none on the property.
While the predator portion of our hunt was almost a total loss, things begin to look up as turkey season neared. Our outfitter, who I will only say lacked the level of professionalism that we were looking for, did have some grounds that held a good number of turkey. Friday evening was spent overlooking some creek bottom fields and roosting areas. I was able to locate a good flock of birds that held 8 strutting gobblers. I formulated a plan to set up on this flock in the morning long before daylight.
First light on Saturday saw me set up 150 yards from the roost with my Pretty Boy decoy and 3 hens in a small field along the creek. Just as if it were it were scripted, at first light gobblers started sounding off all the way around me. Now, I'm not the world's best turkey hunter, but I thought I just might be able to make this work!
Our hunt allowed us to take 4 gobblers each, this was most welcome as I could see 8 strutters approaching from the distance toward my decoys. Every time I would call, they would all answer along with 3 others behind me. I felt like I was under attack! When they were in range, I took 2 mature gobblers with the first shot. Birds went everywhere and one gobbler ran straight at me, I took him too in self defense. 25 min into my hunt it was 3/4 over. Here is a pic of the Sat morning Results:
Due to the fact that the turkeys were severely henned up and not coming to the call extremely well, I chose to set up for the afternoon hunt with some decoys and stay put and call once in a while. As it got near 6:00, I heard a gobble over my left shoulder. A few soft yelps and an answer! As he got closer I could hear his hens leading the way. I saw the hens pass by at 80 yards and the gobbler was about 75 yards behind them following. I began to cut up and try to imitate a flock of hens. While I knew that I could not call him off of his hens, I thought I might be able to alter his course 30 or 40 yards. It worked to perfection. He strutted up to 30 yards and as he topped the rise, the setting sun was shinning through his fan. It was a sight worth the entire trip. The first day of my trip and I had filled all four tags! Here is a pic of the afternoon bird:
I spent Sunday doing a little predator calling with limited success. I did call a yote to into a wheat field at about 400 yards and miss /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. I was on a high hillside and overlooking about a 600 acre field. She came out on the far side at about 700 yards and right through the middle of the wheat field. It was tall enough that I could just see the top of her back and her head. She got to about 400 yards and locked up for some reason. I had the wind and she could not possibly see me, but as they do, she started the other way. I decided to give her a try and set the Dtech up and let fly. I must have shot right under her, as she jumped about 5 feet high and ran like her tail was on fire. Here are a few pics of the countryside:
On Monday we made the long trek home to Mississippi, rested Tuesday and on Wed. I made a short hunt before work on my local lease. Like a script once again, 30 min I called one up strutting and gobbling. 5 birds in one week! What a great week of memories! Hope you all enjoy this, I sure did. Next week it is off to my home state of Missouri for 4 days of hunting with some old friends from high school. Maybe there is more to come? Even if there are no more, it has been a great spring! Here is a pic of the Mississippi Bird: