redbeard Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Charlie Horse By Redbeard ‘Twas gonna name this bird Tanner, as he was walkin’ Georgia’s former Game and Fish commissioner’s Tanners’ property line, as goes that grand ol’ Marshall Tucker Song of the same name. But seein’ as to what he done to my arm, I’ve settled on Charlie Horse. Probably oughta be Charlie 1 Horse, as it was our first meeting but then I’d probably get sued by that great hat maker fer confusin’ his masterpieces with a turkeebird. Began the fifth day of the 2007 season in a familiar neck of Culloden’s woods. In fact, just about the only neck of woods left on a once upon a time spectacular 800 acres of turkee huntin’ property. Fortunately, the investors deemed it fit to leave us ‘bout 300 left with timber, least for a while. All way quiet in the bat woods that morn, a special little grove of oaks and beech trees given that name by my then 8 year ol’ boy after he’d shot a ‘diller and found a live bat under it’s belly upon the fetch. My aging ears found new life, however, reckon due to the lack of woods and I heard a gobbler sound off quite a distance away. I knew of a good four wheeler trail that headed that direction and off I went. Took it fairly slow, as the bird wasn’t particularly hot. Each time, I was a bit closer and finally it dawned on me, that I just might be able to get in front of this bird. Got deep into a holler and sat a spell, offering some sweet hen talk from my aluminum 4 track player and was immediately answered by a hen still in the tree, just back of me. She had a very slow melodic cadence and was so perfect in her tree yelpin’. I tried my best to mimic her measure in rhythm and tone. We had us a pretty good conversation going until that mouthy tom started ah shoutin’ at us ta come on. I picked up the pace a bit and got dang near even with him, with him being on the other side of some thick stuff. I may even have spooked him a bit as when I sat up, I heard a loud cluck. I stayed put and offered him some nice purrin’ compliments of my Roger Lathem round pocket slate. Some feedin’ clucks from a Charlie Trotter trumpet and Lathem purrin’ put him to rest, I suppose, but further on down the line. Seein’ as how the gobbler/jake trick I’ve been using has been so productive, I gave the ol’ Primos gobble tube a shake and followed up with a great kee kee/yawk from Mountain’s Man’s Koa tube. He liked that and his throaty gobble told me he had went down the line ‘bout 50 yards. ‘Twas real thick where we were so I felt confident in a moccasin quiet stalk, until I caught sight of his big ol’ black body. I sat up at the nearest tree and had no opportunity to clear any of the briars and crap around it, as he was still visible. You know the ol’ sayin’, “If you can see him, he can see you.” I limited my movement to a minimum. Twas a perculiar and awkward position for me but I had gun up and he obliged me coming forth, gobblin’ and struttin’ all the while. Saw no sense in calling any more, what with only 70 or so yards for him to cover and he was doing everything just right. That was until he got ‘bout 10 yards short of a shot. For some reason, much like a veteran NASCAR driver, he took the inside lane to get to my last callin’ spot and I could see him lookin’ that way. 5 more yards needed and he was mine. He found the only dip in his path to me and being contrary to ordinary, he went to spittin’ and struttin’ right smack there. I couldn’t see him but I sure could hear him. I feared he’d head back thru the thick stuff from wenst he came and searched with despair for a possible shot, should he be so full of the devil. I swear, I was holdin’ that 14 pounder of a Remington SP10 up the whole while and was pretty proud of myself for my arm strength, as my sittin’ style offered no knee support whatsoever. Let me tell ya, the closer a bird gets to that gun, the heavier it gets. That ol’ round barrel started doing circles, small at first, then larger and larger. Up and down with each spit and drum. Finally, with hushed cursin’, I had to lower it a bit. My bicep burned, bad. Well, even with the turkey in the hole, all he had to do was come on up a slight hill, maybe 5 steps and he’d be mine. I would have time to give ‘er a raise at the opportune moment. Guess what the sucker done next? Dad blame gobbler turnt’d and headed back up hill. Chitfar. I had a limb blockin’ my barrel dead on his head, so all I could do was speak a short cackle with a diaphragm and he obliged me with a tall outstretched neck and I, like a painter with a brushstroke, rose a bit and sent a rush of copper to his periscope. Charlie Horse gobbled his last morn on March 28th, 2007. He was a young 2 year talkative birdy that weighed in at 18.6 lbs, with 15/16 spurs and 9.5 inch rope. My right arm just now quit burnin’, some 5 days later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Congrats on another great bird. Love the story and pic!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christsavedme Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Great story as always.....great bird too! Congrats. Sorry about the arm, but you know what they say....no pain no gain! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest outdoorgirl Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Awesome story Redbeard and congrats on a nice gobbler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Thanks for sharing. Great story on a great hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportsman2500 Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Great story redbeard. i felt like i was sitting right there beside you the hole time. so how many does that make? i think it awesome that you have kept up with all the statistics over your turkey hunting years. good hunting to ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covehnter Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Another longbeard meets his match in ole Redbeard, congrats on the loudmouth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3whunt Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard awesome story.... my only complaint is that it left me wanting more....congrats to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8ptbuckpa Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Man to bad we can't you use more than 1 bird per person. Backwoods Birdslingers would be doing great! Congrats on the bird and Great story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAMABUCKS Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Love to read your stories Redbeard. Congrats on another great bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Sounds to me like ol' Charlie Horse hung up down in that hole on purpose. He figured you couldn't get him if he backed out up the hill. His bad! You might try shootin south paw next time to give that other arm a rest. Another great turkey tale Dean. Congrats on slingin Gobbler #2 over your shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomer Posted April 3, 2007 Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Congrats on great bird and another great story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUTNSTRUT Posted April 3, 2007 Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Congrats on another great bird and as always a wonderful account of the hunt. Redbeard you truly are a blessed story teller. Between my scouting forays and your wonderful stories,I may not make until my season gets here. But the anticipation is half the fun.Good luck the rest of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted April 3, 2007 Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Congrats on a great bird! Very good story thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dosse Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Read Beard your stories are incredible and a pleasure to read, always enjoy your posts, Congrats on bagging charlie horse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maytom Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Nice bird, WTG!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 Re: Charlie Horse By Redbeard Another great story. Nice bird. Congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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