This story started 2 1/2 weeks ago 2 days before WV turkey season. I was groundhog hunting on a farm that I have exclusively rights on. Nice! I visited the farmer. His brother called me to the kitchen. Up in the woods was a really nice gobbler. I got the go to chase him.
The following week I got up at 5 AM each morning to be there at 6:15. I found a really good set up
It was taken before THE DAY. I sat at the tree at the right edge of the photo. Used it as a back rest. Set up my BogPods and rested my FA .454 Casull on it. The photo is a little deceiving. To the edge of the woods is 80 yards.
That week was a bummer. About wore out my slate and box calls. Cold, drizzly, foggy most days. Missed one day due to hard rain. I had to wear my late fall, waterproof, warm gear. Saw a few hens. No gobbler! I wanted this guy. It was starting to get personal, but also depressing. Where was my Xanax?
I questioned the second week if I wanted to do this. The 5 AM stuff was getting to me. All the years I delivered babies only had a few in daylight. I'm hooked on this thing called sleep.
The second week was not going well. Drizzle, fog, cold on Mon., Tues., Wed. I left a little early those days. Got a call from the farmer Wed. night. Should have stayed longer. He was at your tree 15 minutes after you left. Crap!
Thrus. was the same. Crappy weather, no gobbler, deepening depression. It's Xanax time!
Friday forecast was about the same. I looked at the clock when it went off. Do I want to do this. 9 days. Nothing. I've put this much time in. What would a sissy do? I got up.
It didn't rain, but was very cool, and a little misty. Kept my FA under my coat and remained fully camoed. At 9 AM I was tempted to go. Gave myself a talk and started daydreaming. I noticed movement in the woods at 9:15. My Leicas confirmed a turkey...with a beard! It's him. My Bushnell Elite was on 6X. I quickly found him, but he was walking from right to left at a slow rate. He wouldn't stop!
I looked above the scope and saw a 10 yd. opening about 20 yds. in front of him. He was still moving in the opening, but I was on him. I held about even with his back and fired. He disappeared! Did I miss? I stood up and saw a wing spread out.
21 1/2#, 9" beard, 1 1/8" spurs.
The old Speer bullet hit both wing butts with a finger size hole and minimal collateral damage. That's why I call this combo my "Turkey Gun'. I haven't kept as good of records with my turkeys as I do groundhogs and deer, but I think this is #36 with the FA.
I guess the old saying is true. Persistence pays off.
