Still some magic in that coin!

James7xChamp3 · May 27, 2005

My Dad couldn’t hunt the first part of the month because of a slipped disc in his back. He

has been going to therapy and the other night he thought he was up to trying his luck for a

turkey. I had an appointment at 11:00 so I told him I could take the day off and we could

give it a try in the morning. I’d like to try the Encore...... “I really like that scope” he said.

We had to go somewhere easy so he wouldn’t have to walk far which really narrowed the

choices down. Dawn found us not to far from where my nephew and I got his bird. It has

been raining every day for almost a week but today it was supposed to break a bit but

wasn’t to be.... at least for the first part of the day. It was drizzling and breezy as we nestled

into a few pines.

The songbirds were singing, the crows were hollering but the turkeys weren’t talking.

Maybe because they weren’t here? Maybe they were just quiet? Who knows! I told my

Dad I would call just a little bit every 20 minutes and we would just have to be very alert

in case any were “sneaking” around. At 9:00 the hunt would end. We talked a bit about a

few things and just enjoyed the sights, the drizzle becoming a light mist as I yelped just a

bit about every 20 minutes.

“There they are” Dad said. “Just to my right”. It wa 8:15. I couldn’t see them at first, but then they

just appeared. A couple blue and red heads were coming up over the knoll about 60 yards

away.........headed right toward us. They were moving rather quickly too, periscoping and

searching every nook and cranny. At 40 yards, the Encore was shouldered, trying to pick

out the one with the longest beard I was told later. A couple of Jakes it looked like, but

they seemed like decent size birds.

They were going to cross in front about 35 yards. As my Dad was trying to pick a spot,

one of them caught movement and heads were bobbing and feet were moving.....rather

quickly! As I was thinking the game might be over, the Encore spoke........with authority!

One bird went down and the other flew straight up through forest into a tall bull pine. He

left that pine very quickly as we walked over to my Dad’s bird.

“We did it “ my Dad said. “I just can’t believe it “! “First there was nothing and then there

they were”! “Had to shoot quick.....think they saw me move”. After a hug, admiring the bird a bit and thanking the good Lord above I got the camera out and we posed for a few pictures. My Dad just being

able to get out was all the success we needed. Especially him.......he is always on the go

and hates to be laid up. The sun wasn’t shining, but the Turkey Gods sure were! What a

blessed season it has been!

As we walked back towards the truck, I couldn’t help but reach in my pocket one last

time. As I squeezed the coin, I remembered what my honey had told me the night before. “I’m

sure there’s some magic left in the coin for your Dad”. I guess she was right! Thanks

again honey!

My Dad’s bird was 16.25 lb. with a 5.25” beard.

VermontHunter · May 27, 2005