ruttinbuc Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 (edited) A copy and paste from my blog There are times in your life where some things don't quite go as hoped and others become events you will never forget. I knew going in that the hunting down there in South Carolina may be tough. Leo had told me that the flocks were all broken up, but there was a chance we could get ourselves a longbeard. There were obviously a bunch of them there as his past pictures have shown. Regardless, the main thing was that I was going to hunt with my friend. A friend I had made on this past September's antelope hunt in Wyoming. A man who has went through more than anyone that I have ever met. Just to be hunting with him now or last fall is a miracle in itself. I arrived on Friday at noon and was greeted at the door by Leo's wife Mary who is just as nice a person anyone will ever meet. I was also greeted by Arthur, the wood chewing dog, and his sidekick Merlin. Leo was there in the kitchen. It was great to see my friend again. After a bit of pleasantry and a cup of coffee we decided to take advantage of the good weather and get the hunt started. We went to get a three day license and the turkey tags and continued on to the hunting land. After a fairly long drive we arrived at and saw that the big blind was blown over by the heavy wind after an almost 4 inch rain the day before. We drove out to the blind and set it right and unloaded out gear. We parked the truck and Leo introduced me to the landowners aunt who lived on the place. She too, was a joy to meet. I could not believe it when Leo told me she was 86 years old. Certainly didn't look it and was sharp as a tack. She told us that the turkeys were out last evening in the rain with one gobbler strutting around a bunch of hens right at the blown over blind. In quiet anticipation we walked across the wheat field to start the hunt. This was the evening strutting ground where Leo had killed his big tom earlier. Leo strted calling with some clucks and purrs and it wasn't long when two hens had appeared at the edge of the field to our left some distance away. They reacted and looked to the sound of more calling, but made their way along the edge until finally disappearing in the center of the pines we were watching. There was a big gobbler there that Leo had spotted a few days before. We were hoping he would show up. Not long after this guy showed up and Leo called him right to the blind. His perfect looking deke helped him along, but left him a state of confusion. Edited April 8, 2009 by ruttinbuc title change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Boy, that first pic is purty! Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 sounds like a great time to me ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 (edited) Boy, that first pic is purty! Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun! Dakota Thanks, but the fun didn't get started yet! I'll put a disclamer here Dakota...the first pic is from home here....To beat that dang banner that SHOWS UP IN THE TEXT! Edited April 8, 2009 by ruttinbuc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunt or be Hunted Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 nice pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 we want more.....we want more :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Well told. I'm gonna have to snag a copy when you're done and give it to Aubrey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 A lot of up close and personal with Leo's birds I see:). The pics are great Mike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HCO Team Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Great pics and story! Waiting for more...!! Glad you made it back safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 The morning of day two The next morning Leo and I were up at 4:30. We were going to the swamp blind. This was the place where the turkeys showed up in the mornings. They would roost in the swamp and then end up in the big field to feed in the morning. Birds would also show up from the opposite side. We got to the parking spot and walked to the edge of the field. Leo, made a couple of very impressive owl hoots with his mouth. There was no response. We continued on to the blind which was actually a dead fall within the treeline between the field and thick cover behind. We got set up and shortly after Leo started calling softly. It wasn't long and a bird appeared from the corner to our left. I could not see it, but it was headed to the calling toward the hen decoy that was on that side. It gobbled at least three times on its way in. I was sort of facing in the direction of the swamp and watched as three hens entered the field. They were feeding along a ditch. Over my shoulder I could now see the gobbling bird headed to the hen. Putting up my range finder I saw it was a jake. The set up The jake came right to the decoy curious as ever and not knowing what to do. He then walked off in the direction he came where another bird entered the field. It was another jake. They both headed toward feeding into the middle of the field eventually joining the rest of the birds.. A fourth hen entered the field at the ditch as did three more jakes a bit later.. Leo continued to call and one of the hens made her way to 10 yards of the jake decoy in front of me. She saw something she didn't like and turned and slowly headed toward the pines clucking all the way. She really got worked up near the edge and the whole show ended up following her into the woods and the swamp beyond. Sitting there befuddled we had a redtail hawk come from behind us in claws first to the jake decoy. It saw the ruse and landed just next to it. He stood and looked for awhile before flying up to one of the tall pines close by. He looked befuddled to say the least. Testament to the very real looking jake Leo hand painted. We were just about ready to call it a morning around 11:00 when a couple more birds appeared at the edge of the pines past the ditch. Leo called but the birds fed for a bit and then headed into the woods. An armadillo, first I ever saw, appeared at the corner of the pones. At 12:00 we went to see if we could get a gobbler to respond and set up on. Feeding past the ditch Armadillo on the edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 great story and pics!! Keep it coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Man that sounds like sooooo much fun it's hard to take sitting here and read...and not be doing it! That last pic with the 'Dilla in it made me moan. Seeing the small flowers in the field then looking outside the window here and seeing Snow falling:( I'm so ready for Winter to be over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 That first gobbling jake of the morning got within 28 yards. In this more open setup taking a picture wasn't possible. That was gobbler #2 for the hunt we had in range but we can't shoot jakes on this land so we let him walk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 (edited) Day Two part II We gathered our gear and headed along the treeline where we were set up to a firebreak that led to another some 30 yards inside the pines. We made our way along with Leo shock gobbling now and then to try and get a response. Leo had heard a gobble come from the swamp earlier in the morning. I didn't hear it, but I have a hard time hearing a lot of things. We made our way along without a gobble. We walked down toward the swamp at a bend in the trail toward the swamp. The flutter of wings was evidence of turkeys flying up off the ground and heading through the swamp. Leo, who was ahead of me, said that he saw them and they were hens. They may very well have been those birds in the field that morning. We came across water running over the road to an island where were going to set up. No way were we going to cross so we continued back the way we came. Getting back on the fire break to the end of the property the 6'5" Leo spotted turkeys on the ground in front of him to his left. There were redheads in the group. We quickly hurried to the other side of the break and set up. Leo, called and purred in an attempt to bring the birds in, but t hey never showed. We decided then that this is where we will be in the morning.... We continued on around the to the field across from where we sat the morning and headed towards the truck. We took a bit of a break and then headed back to the blind where we sat the night before in hopes of seeing if the big strutter was going to show himself. We got to the house and spent a little time talking with my new acquaintance, Annabelle. What a wonderful chat we had about living where she does and how peaceful and quiet it is. As we spoke she noticed a couple of turkeys at the end if the drive heading toward the big field. Turkeys everywhere have a tendency to make themselves scarce when there are people around. It was apparent that they spotted us and headed back the way they came. Not too awful spooked though. Leo and I gathered the guns and off we went to sit the blind. It was a long afternoon with only a lone hen sneaking in behind us out to the wet spot in the field. She fed for a quite awhile on the emerging grubs and bugs. We decided that it was a long day and quit a little while later. Getting the hen to run across the field we packed up and headed out. As we did, three shots a long way off piqued our curiosity. Little did we know of the excitement that was ahead of us. Leo Headed to the Island The swamp Leo and a sign that says it all Edited April 8, 2009 by ruttinbuc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 This is getting good. Just like being there Can't wait for more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 The field I'm walking to the island in is a small food plot (1 1/2 acre) that normally has Chufas in it. About three years is max you can plant Chufas in the same spot. This plot has rested for two years so it should be ready next year. That swamp is what I have to deal with. Some big birds stay in there and never come out. They just fly from island to island. You can't wade it. It's full of alligators and moccasins. You also can't hardly navigate it with a boat. If you do and pick the wrong island it's a wasted morning for an awful lot of effort. Your best bet is to try and pull one to the edge where you can get a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted April 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) The Excitement of Day Two With a little of the day left Leo and I headed over to see if Aubrey, the landowner was out of the woods yet. He was turkey hunting also and Leo wanted to introduce me to him. We pulled into his drive and as we approached the house we could see that Aubrey was racing across the wheat field on his four wheeler. He pulled up telling us that there were a bunch of wild hogs in the field and that he had shot at least two of them with his 7mm rifle. He came back to the house to get a trailer and to get his pistol. One hog didn't quite go down and attacked the four wheeler Leo introduced me to his great friend during the excitement and then off we went in the back of the trailer. We got to where one hog lay dead and could see where one was still pretty much alive. It got up and quickly laid back down. Aubrey unhooked the trailer with the plan to use the four wheeler to get up to the injured pig. Aubrey then says to me, "Mike, since you are the guest all the way from New Jersey you get to finish him off!" "It's been a long time since I shot a pistol," I replied. "Don't worry about it," he said. "Just keep your feet up in case it charges!" Aubrey showed me the slide action and the safety and the the next thing I knew I was on the back of the four wheeler with a 9mm Ruger in my hand headed out to the wild beast who was already back on his feet. It was snorting and coming right after us wanting to inflict some damage! Aubrey, turned to get sideways and says, "shoot em'" I squeezed the trigger..Bang!!! "A little high, shoot again!"...Bang!!! "Low! shoot again, no wait, I have to get around him again!" The snorting hog was rushing the four wheeler with a vengeance, seemingly knowing that the guy with the pistol could not shoot for crap! "OK shoot him".... Bang "You hit em in the leg, shoot em again!"....Bang!!! "That got em," Audrey exclaimed as the hog hit the dirt. We headed back fetch the trailer to load up the hog and I spotted another one that lay in the high grass deader than dead. Aubrey had hit all three pigs from over 200 yards with his rifle. Leo was standing there with a look of obvious amusement while I tried to explain the NJ reason for poor pistol marksmanship. I vowed that when I got home I was going to get my FOID for a handgun and become proficient with it. Just in case I ever run into wild pigs, again. We loaded up the first hog and then headed to the one I put down....Yep, he was still breathing! Dang! Aubrey took the pistol and with a well placed shot put the hog in the death quiver. How many can say that within 10 minutes of meeting a total stranger that they would be on the back of his four wheeler with a 9mm pistol in their hand going to shoot a wild pig? That was one of the coolest things I ever did in my life and I want to thank Leo's great friend Aubrey for giving me the opportunity and his trust.. Aubrey thought he hit all three pigs. The little black one caught a round right up his backside as he ran. The hog on the top was the vicious beast that I put down. Edited April 9, 2009 by ruttinbuc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 LMBO!! Sounds like a great time! I can just picture it all in my head :D:D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 I want to emphasize one thing. Aubrey can shoot! This was impressive shooting for sure. He shot all three of those pigs at 200 yards or more. Two of them were running shots. Three shots three pigs. Even though we were on the other farm I heard all three shots. I looked at Mike and said that came from Aubrey's. I remember telling Aubrey I heard three shots when we got there. Aubrey thought he missed one when we got there but when Mike went with him to finish off that one, they quickly found the third. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) Great close-ups Mike. Man, I wish I was there too. Awesome !! and those hogs can be a real blast, for sure. I'm about as good as you are with a hand-gun Mike. Ask Dartonman...LOL Edited April 9, 2009 by buckee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted April 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Great close-ups Mike. Man, I wish I was there too. Awesome !! and those hogs can be a real blast, for sure. I'm about as good as you are with a hand-gun Mike. Ask Dartonman...LOL That makes me feel a lot better, Steve! Here are some more closeups. Look at the damage of that 7mm on that black one! And, oh, yes! They stunk to high heaven..Pepe La Pew would have fallen in love with them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 I keep telling Diana that my hog mount is soooo Ugly, that it's purdy ... but ... she ain't buying it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted April 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) Close as it gets..Day Three After a day of excitement and a long ride home, Leo and I were pretty tired. In a few short hours we would be setting up in the pines above the swamp on the other side of the field we sat in the morning. Seeing those birds over there was incentive enough to come up with the plan. There were gobblers in there and it was just a matter of drawing one out. After the short sleep, a cup of excellent coffee and the long drive we arrived just in the predawn. Leo parked at the edge of the field so that it may keep the birds from entering it. Sort of like a reverse decoy. He said it may keep the birds from entering the field and come in the pines where we would be. Made perfect sense to me. We made our way along the edge we walked out yesterday after Leo made a few of his booming owl calls. There was no response again. That was about to change as we got to the firebreak. Leo owl called and a lone gobbler responded from way deep in the swamp. Calling again had another gobble from the swamp to our left and a lot closer than the first. We slowly walked father up the break. Leo called again and the bird instantly gobbled back. He was right there still in the tree. We scurried to find good cover in the thin pines. We found some bush like stuff that made for a good background. Leo set out the lone hen decoy and we settled in to try and entice the bird our way. No sooner than he put the striker to the call we got a long rattling gobble. He was right in front of us, fairly close. Still in the tree. Leo heard the bird fly down and struck the call again. Again the bird gobbled and he was right on top of us. I was looking hard in the dim light to see any kind of movement. I knew at any instant the bird could appear. I looked to my left and there, just across the break I saw the legs of a turkey. Just that fast I had three heads all together through a hole in the cover. I could have killed all three with one shot, but I could not see their chests. I tapped Leo and whispered that I had three on the left. My heart was coming through my shirt in anticipation of the turkeys coming through the cover. When they did it went pretty much back to normal as none of them had a beard longer than two, three inches. Still hoping the gobbler was behind them the jakes were within feet away. I could have spit and hit the leader in the eye. He clucked with every step and it was all I could do not to move. They all passed and I heard them directly behind me. Still looking for the longbeard one of the jakes gobbled long and loud almost sending me through my hat! Talk about close! Whew! We both agreed that it was the same bird that gobbled in the swamp. We also agreed that it was the most mature sounding jake we ever heard. We sat for a bit longer and made our way back to the edge of the field to see if any birds did show up there. It was empty. We walked the property line shock calling to no avail except when we got back to near where the jakes would have ended up. He gobbled twice again in his now familiar fashion. Quite the morning to say the least. The hunt and the sleeplessness was taking its toll on us. We headed over to Aubrey's to take a much needed nap and to come up with a plan for the afternoon... to be continued... Edited April 9, 2009 by ruttinbuc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Hee Hee! Yep that jake was about 10ft behind Ruttinbuc's head BAWHALALALALA!!! Talk about a nerve rattler! He had a long deep chest rattling gobble. Not at all like jakes normally do. There was a distinct difference between the gobbling this dude was doing and the jake we called in yesterday morning, that bird had the typical jake "short gobble". All I can say is, sometimes jakes get it early. This one sure did. I thought for sure it was one of the swamp sultans and he was gonna take a shoulder ride out that morning. When that turkey answered my tree yelps, I looked at Mike an said, "We're gonna kill this bird. He sounds like a real old one." Joke was on me. But it was still a classic hunt that went text book from roost to setup. One more year is all that bird needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Sounds pretty cool having birds that close, even if they aren't shooters Nerve rattling for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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