It was 5 a.m. on a cool morning as I began my hike up the hill to a promising spot I had located the evening before. As I walked up the trail to my hunting spot, I was confident that my scouting efforts were about to pay off. A half hour later, I had reached my destination. I quietly set up my Hen decoy and sat down against a clump of Grape Vines near where I had heard and seen Toms prior to that day.
At first light, I heard nothing but a few Crows and a couple of Bluejay's sounding off. I sat for a half hour calling periodicaly, and still nothing. I decided that I was in the wrong spot for that mornings Hunt, so I picked up my Hen Decoy and proceded up and around the next bench of the hill. I stopped about 200 yrds up and around from my last spot. I leaned against a nearby tree to listen for a moment, and about that time a Crow sounded off, and a Gobbler to follow. I quickly stuck my Hen Decoy in the ground and found the closest spot I could find that offered me some cover. I got settled in and proceded to call, and I met with multiple responses. Just as anticipated, a few minutes later, I heard the Toms footsteps comming closer, my Heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my head. I finally saw the Tom at about 55 yrds, so I gave a few more very soft clucks to gain his attention, then put down my call and grabbed my Shotgun. I could hear the rustling of dry leaves as he approached my Hen decoy from streight ahead. The first to appear through the tree line were his legs, then his lower half, but as soon as he got to the top of the trail I could see his head, and then a very large boss tom stepped out from the shadows.
He was beautiful. His long beard appeared to be about 9-10 inches in length. As he approached my Hen decoy with that distinctive Tom Turkey strut of a self-confident gobbler, my nerves were comming unglued With every step he took. I had to calm down or I could blow this chance at this awesome Gobbler. I took a few slow deep breaths and told myself to calm down. The gobbler at this point was about 45-50 yrds away and comming streight at me. The Tom's large black chest swung his beard from side to side, and his red head seemed to get brighter as he came closer. I knew the Hunt was on!
I had stopped calling at this point for fear of the Tom seeing me move. I sat motionless as he approached slowly down the trail. I wached in shock,as the Tom stopped directly behind a fallin Oak tree that was accross the trail. I know he was close enough to see my decoy, but I dont think he was comfortable with going under that Tree . I had no Shot at that point because his Neck,and most of his Head were covered up by the Tree he was behind. The Tom slowly turned half way around and started walking to my Left at,about 45 yrds. The Tom stopped suddenly in an opening that offered me a clear view of his Head and Neck, so without hesitation I took the shot. The Master Tom dropped in his tracks. I was so excited,to have harvested such a beautifull Tom Turkey. I harvested this Gobbler with a 12 Gauge on April 30 at 7Am, and the distance was 45 yards when I walked it off. I must say that the Turkey is one of the most exciting North American animals to hunt, and as long as I am able to get around I will keep chasing the Wild Turkeys of Pennsylvania. Thank you for reading my Article and I hope to hear from you sometime.
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