Went back after the bird that eluded me on Tuesday. Set up at 0530 in the same general spot and he was there about 100 yds out gobbling his head off! He started at 0537 and I stopped counting at 0603 when he hit 100 gobbles. Had a hen fly down and land 25 yds out and was waiting for him to pitch down and join her at 0625.
He got quiet and never showed up. Finally heard him gobble heading away from me at 0650. I knew where he was headed (or hoped I did) so I got up and made a huge circle to get ahead of him.
Set up in the next property where I have an old ground blind w my hen deke out about 25 yds in a field. Have a few yelps on the crystal and he hammered back about 200 yds away on a horse pasture.
We exchanged yelps for gobbles for the next 30 mins and then he got quiet and did not reply. I was hoping that meant he was coming in and sure enough 20 mins later I hear a ‘TIK’ ‘BOOOM-BOOOOOM’ as he drums for my deke. I turn on the camera and am waiting for him to strut in to my shooting lane before I move.
He puffs back into strut takes a few steps then stops. He comes out of strut and periscopes up. When he popped his wings I knew the game was about up and lifted the gun and made the shot as he started to exit stage left.
Really nice bird
20#
11” beard
1 1/8” ebony spurs

Been awhile since I killed a bird on my birthday so bonus!!

Watch in the upper left hand corner of the video
https://youtu.be/8VxIi_nQsZI

Ole Thick Beard

Very nice. Great season for you and one to go

‘Nother nice one. Congrats!!

good bird congrats