Been a messed up season so far. Didn’t start hunting till Monday 4/11 and then tested positive for Covid on 4/13!
Was feeling good enough to head back out today and had four birds gobbling down in the creek bottom at daybreak. All ignored my calls and worked off through the bottom towards some fields.
Around 0830 I got a bird to gobble at crow call and was able to get within 80 yds. I watched two longbeards strut and display while a third bird gobbled 150 yds away in the bottom.
I made a few yelps and the two strutters slicked down and walked off. Go figure.
The third bird shut up as well, so I made a big loop back in his direction. About an hour later I was sitting on a little hill overlooking the bottom enjoying the day and glad I could get back out so soon (this Covid is a bitch).
About 10:00 a bird gobbles at a Pileated Woodpecker 100 yds straight out in front of me down in the thick creek bottom.
I pull my wingbone up and give a few soft clucks….GOOOBBBLLE!
GAME ON!
I get set up and put call away. Ten minutes later I hear a stick snap and here he comes. He starts to skirt me to my left and I got one shot before he gets outta sight behind a hill and I take it. Unfortunately he was in the standing water and flopped a bit in the mess.
Watch center bottom for the Tom to come into view in the video.
22#, 10” beard, and 1” needle sharp ivory spurs.
https://youtube.com/shorts/fxE9Ovzj1cc