I sat down on a little knoll. I was tired and needed a break. The turkeys have been tight lipped all season and after 3 days of hiking, I decided to just sit and call. It was 1030 am, getting hot, and the shade in the shadow of a big oak looked like a nice place to wait until noon.
I tried several different calls and was having quite a practice session. I had been calling on and off for about 45 mins and there had been no response. I was looking forward to noon and calling it quits for the day. Then, a big black bird jumped up on a fallen tree on top of the ridge in front of me about 80 yds away... then another, and another. The birds stared downhill for a long time without making a sound. I just happened to be looking in that direction or they would have seen me first. These turkeys were very black..
As they approached, I could see 3 long beards...they veered off...I clucked...they came back and finally saw the decoy. They walked in front of it not making a sound or fanning out. It must have been curiosity...
I sat low behind my small popup blind. I was not hidden very well and I felt exposed ...I eased the gun up as they came in range...they took off and the third shot cartwheeled a nice bird...I was happy, and yes, extremely lucky....
Luck is, after all, what it takes the most of to kill a longbeard, especially when he sneaks in without a sound.
He was 16 lbs with a 10 in beard and 1 in spurs.
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