Last Saturday I was in my tree stand for the first time on some new property hoping to catch a buck cruising. Now, I knew there were turkey around, but I didn't know they were roosting all around my tree stand when I climbed up at 0645 in the dark. About 30 minutes after sunrise the tree yelping began. I thought I heard 5 different birds, but a few minutes later the fly-down started. Gotta say, I have seen plenty of birds fly down during Spring season, but never anything like this spectacle. The first bird launched from behind me and flew past me on my right side (at eye level about 15' away), banked left and looped around to land 10 yards on my left. Then one launched from my 1100 heading straight at me and landed with the first hen, then another, and another, and another, and on, and on, and on.... Over the next 10 minutes 12 hens launched & soared down from all directions right at me or flying past me while sitting 20' up in a large white oak.
Definitely a memory I will not soon (if ever) forget.
And, just in case you were wondering, I have secured permission for next Spring
