Made the last day count!


fly

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Here in IL we only get 5 day seasons for turkey. I have one tag for 1st season and one for 3rd season. It was tough hunting 1st season, but the wildflowers sure were beautiful. The birds would gobble on the roost, but once they hit the ground lock jaw set in. A bit early I guess. Anyway Friday was the last day of the first season. I walked my usual 2 miles on public ground to get to my hot spot. As I walked along a ridge top in the dark roosted hens were clucking every time I took a step. They were only 30-40 yards from me and I could see them. I figured gobblers were close. I stopped and just waited for that magic time when the sun starts to break day and the gobblers let loose. Sure enough I heard one down the hill from me. I set up down the hill some placing me between the hens and the gobbler. Then all heck broke loose. There must have been 6-8 different gobblers in all directions of me gobbling like crazy. At first light 2 does walked up the hill and the woods got quiet as the smelled me and snorted the alarm. After 10 minutes the still roosted gobblers started up again. Then enter a coyote. I thought about it, but let him go knowing the sound of my gun would end my chances of getting a bird. He finally left and I heard some birds flying down. Then the gobbling stopped. I thought the game was over thanks to coyote ugly, but then I heard 2 gobbling about 200 yards down the ridge from me. I got aggressive with my calling. They gobbled again this time 150 yards away. I knew they were coming. I got ready. Sure enough on the trail I had walked in on here comes 2 jakes with 4-5 hens in tow. They got about 70 yards and the hens started clucking and carrying on. They went down the wrong side of the hill away from me. The jakes followed. I got aggressive again with my calling making the same noises the hens had made. Then I heard another gobble and knew they were still interested. I called again and got ready (hiding behind a tree on my belly). Five minutes later here they come. The first one waled to within 50 yards and went down the hill and I lost him due to the landscape. I thought dang I should have shot when I had the chance at 50 yards. Then the second jake started walking the same path as the first. When he got to the same spot at 50 yards BANG! He rolled and although he was likely done, he got another for good measure.When it is the last day, a jake is a welcome site.

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Congrats fly...sounds like you were covered up until the other critters tried to spoil the show.

Probably had more hens and gobblers around me than on any other hunt. It was an emotional roller coaster alright. Going from thinking I'd have my pick to thinking the whole thing was shot. I was just glad to get something.

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