redbeard Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Remember those early tales of mine where I'd been fooled by that boss jake? Ain't gotta worry about that any longer. Here's the latest turkey tippin' tale from Redbeard. I hope it doesn't cause any flak, Turkey Little was hunted fair chase and came to the call, although in an unconventional way........ “Turkey Little Thumper: The Wanna Be Limbhanger” Ol’ Turkey Little Thumper, as he is now called, thought he was the big boy of the fourth creek and Flyin’ Squirrel Area. On two different occasions, I’d called him up to less than 20 yards only to see him fan his jake tail. I can tell you now, fellows, his gobble, drum and strut was all big boy talk. I could feel the ground shake when he went to strut and gobble, I kid you not. I figured he make an excellent two year old that would gobble easy next year, should he make it through this season. I was satisfied to see the show for now and let him walk. Well, an old friend joined me for the weekend to have fun, food, campfires and a little turkey huntin’. Ol’ Skip is about the best company a fellow could have around a campfire and one heck of a deer hunter but has never taken to turkey huntin’ as I did. He’s gone with me on three or four weekend hunts and at first he claimed I was using the “No Comin’ Hyar” turkey calls as I would always slam the gobblers just after he left but none would come for us when he was by my side. In jest, I made him a custom slate call this past Christmas inlaid with a fine 10 pointer etching on the backside along with a heavy elk tipped striker. That striker was so top heavy; I put it in a leather holster called Quik Draw and wrote under that “Turkey Thumper”. Sorta like a fish bat only for gobbler thumpin’. HA! Well, one fateful midday hunt in 1994, I called him in a thunderous tom that came right to the gun. A fine long beard gave up his life for one of my best friends. He’s taken a fistful of birds since that day on his own but hadn’t really called one in to his lap since that memorable Preacher Tom hunt. That was until we came upon Turkey Little Thumper. Saturday morning Skip slept in after too many beers the night before causing his head to wobble enough he’d just as soon not hear any gobbles. I hunted and found no birds singing long enough to get up on. Saturday night, the deer hunters crashed camp and we retreated to the very back of the property to avoid the chaos Sunday morning. I took Skip after Mr. One Gobble and walked the poor man’s legs off up and down some steep hills. As customary that tom didn’t gobble but once and our patience tired enough to head back. I took him on a ‘roundabout way back to the truck following some pretty good gobbler tracks. Ol’ Skip said, about a mile later, “Does this go back to the truck”. I assured him it did and was just over a hill or two. Just as we bottomed the logging road and facing a pretty steep trail uphill, I let out a short yelp series and we got a good long gobble from just over an oak and pine covered knoll just to our right. We hotfooted into the bottom and located him again with a loud crow. Awesome long gobble was rewarded and sent our way. He sounded just on the other side of the knoll not 80 yards away. We quickly stepped quietly up our side and sat up just 20 yards short of the top. I called with leaf scratchin’ and he responded. A hawk screeched at him and he obliged with a hardy gobble, once again. Skip’s got gun on knee and sittin’ against a wide oak. It’s pretty thick to his right with pines and briars. Luckily, the gobble was left and he anticipated a red head cresting that knoll in the open oaks. The bird was quiet for another 5 or so minutes and I pulled out Tim Oldham’s Creek Bottom Calls glass slate and gave it a round of sweet music. Obble, obble, obble, was the reply. Same spot, but a little closer, all is lookin’ good. Leaf scratchin’ and a few wing beats brought the next gobble after ten minutes of silence. We knew he’d be comin’ any second over that crest. After 10 more minutes of nerve rackin’ silence, I started to think about crowin’ again or maybe slippin’ out and callin’ as I’m leavin’. I’ve got my head down, mulling my next move over when I hear whomp, whomp, whomp, and the sound of feet hittin’ wood. I pretty much knew exactly who that was but I didn’t chance lookin’ up as I’m dang near certain he’s lookin’ for hens below him. Next thing I hear is boomyall and turn to look up and I see “Turkey Little” fallin’ from the sky and Skip duckin’ so as not to get thumped in the head. I was up lickety-split and rushed up to grab him up and that’s when we noticed it was a jake. Pretty sure it was the same jake I’d gotten to fan out the weekend before as his shorter feathers were distinctly short. Nevertheless, we hooped and hollered as anyone should do when a bird is called to the gun. Evidently that smart junior Tom was gonna check out the bottom behind us, either to insure a big boy wasn’t there or maybe I’d tricked him once too many times. We are sure he was on the ground when he was gobblin’ as it was 10:00 o’clock daylight savings time, 9 turkey time. We guess he just didn’t want to pass thru that thick stuff as that’s the side he flew over. So if anyone ever tells ya Creek Bottom Calls will call ‘em right to your lap or to the tree you’re sittin’ on, you’d better believe it. We were sort of disappointed it was a jake but by the sound of him you’d have never guessed it and lookin’ straight up at ‘em, 20 yards up, that beard is a beard. He had a pretty thick one, in fact. I told my good friend not to worry about it as he was anxious about what I’d say, I was happy for him and we got to put another first time experience in memory for reminiscing on the porch years from now. Sides, that dang ol’ jake, as smart as he was in his first year, would’ve surely caused me many days of grief and agony in years to come. You can bet we’ll feast well and have many laughs sharing the tale. Ol’ Skips gonna introduce me to fried turkey and Jezzabell sauce. Never et no Jezzabell, lookin’ forward to the day. Oh yeah, Skip did remember to pull out that Quik Draw Turkey Thumper and give “Turkey Little” a few quick thumps once he landed….but I’m pretty sure the fall did him in……..along with that rush of pellets in his neck. Big laughs, hard slaps, firm handshakes, slingin’ turkeys over the shoulder, good fires, cold beers, good friends………what more could a man ask for………….. Fare Ye Well, til next time, this concludes another chapter of “Redbeard’s Tales of Tippin’ Turkeys”. May the Turkey Gods shine on each and every one of ya’ll. P.S. Now Whitehead, don't you go thinkin' you're gonna be able to shoot up my jakes come next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntn4bucks Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper Pickin a little limb fruit eh Redbeard?!?!? That's quite a story...one I'm sure you'll not forget anytime soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbeard Posted April 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper [ QUOTE ] Pickin a little limb fruit eh Redbeard?!?!? Hey, it weren't me I wasn't gonna lift my head up fer nuthin'. He was scared I'd be mad but if he hadn't it surely would've sailed into that bottom and I'm sure he'd left it alone had he known it was a jake. I know it won't meet the approval of some but I read and been told first hand of the same accounts from such greats as Doug Camp, Roscoe Reams, Ben Lee. So since the bird came to the call, I can't see the harm how he got there. I just think I oughta start chargin' for my services, ain't many that can get 'em that close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper Awesome story Redbeard. I love reading your trips to the woods. Look forawrd to a few more this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntn4bucks Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Pickin a little limb fruit eh Redbeard?!?!? [/ QUOTE ] Hey, it weren't me I wasn't gonna lift my head up fer nuthin'. He was scared I'd be mad but if he hadn't it surely would've sailed into that bottom and I'm sure he'd left it alone had he known it was a jake. I know it won't meet the approval of some but I read and been told first hand of the same accounts from such greats as Doug Camp, Roscoe Reams, Ben Lee. So since the bird came to the call, I can't see the harm how he got there. I just think I oughta start chargin' for my services, ain't many that can get 'em that close [/ QUOTE ] I knew it wasn't you...I was just having a little fun at your expense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobie Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper Awesome story enjoyed reading it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDNKHNTR77 Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper heck of a story. Hope there is more to come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper Gonna have to start wearing camo hard hats in Georgia huh? Just kiddin but you might want to think about giving your buddy one as a gag gift. I would but my hunting buddies and I pick at each other all the time. That's a turkey tale to enjoy laughing about when your hunting buddies gather round for the next social event. Handing your buddy a camo hard hat at that event would be priceless too. Congrats to your buddy redbeard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6sixpoint_nobrows Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper great story! awesome jake you got there! awesome job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomer Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper Congrats on the bird. Awesome story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WhiteHead Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper Redbeard, You are a trip man, I can not hardly contain myself, I can tell yall had a sky fallin good time. Like allways, Great story and great bird! Congrats to the both of yall. Don't worry I won't shoot till you say to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James7xChamp3 Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper Great story! Sounded like a great hunt and great company. That's what it is all about! Congrats to your friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borch Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper Redbeard you always have at least one good story in you each spring. I'll have to get you by a campfire one of these days. I can only image how late we'd be up telling hunting tales. Borch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hookedonhunting Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 Re: Turkey Little Thumper awesome bird!!! congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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