This old boy had stifled gobbling at this place last year and all but eliminated it this year. No roost gobbling and only a handful on the ground only to stifle rivals. Always roosted with hens nearby. I had called his hens another morning only to have them split up and him follow a couple just under a hill left of me while the others passed right by. On tues he was on the ground in the fog early and moving my way when a hen came out behind him. I found him later in a field with 3 hens and when they turned direction I figured he was headed home. I cirled in front but could not find him so crawled up and peeked over a fence line and called softly. Turning my head back I saw a hen just cresting a small swale in the field right behind me. I was caught standing but against a tree, all I could do was freeze. luckily my gloves and headnet were on but my gun was on the ground. They advanced with gobbler in tow to 50yds before turning away to round a point of woods. When finally all heads were down and fan up I dropped and was able to retrieve my gun. Now set all i could see was the tip of a disappearing fan. I gave a soft call as they departed, waited, and gave another just in case. As I was about to slink out and try to circle once again I caught a glimpse of black, his fan, and then a hens back! They slowly eased on in to 30 yds. A tough old ruler, 19.1 lbs 2 beards Main 10" second 9 "  1 spur sheared at leg bone the other gone leaving the bone spur only. If only they had known his swords were broken.

the hay bale has returned!!! Congrtas on a great bird!!

Doug

Congratulations on an awesome hunt requiring expert tactical maneuvering! Can you explain about a spur being gone leaving the bone spur only?

Boys in the neighborhood now liberated. Congratulations on a great bird

Nice double beard. Good you looked before you slinked out.


Earl

I think he means the outer spur shell was pulled off and only the bone remained.. looks like that in the Pic.. you can pull the outer shell off the bone part..

Congrats.. truly an awesome recap.. I can tell the respect you had for him by the story you told.

Nice, Congrats!!! I've seen it a few times at the farm we hunt at, there will be a dominant bird and he will shut it down but if you are able to kill him then it's like the flood gates open to other birds gobbling.

Great job and good luck on the rest of the birds gobbling their heads off. Hopefully it will be a crazy end to the season for you.

Great hunt. Congrats!

That old hay bale has seen a lot of dead turkeys.

Congrats!