I went over for the opener of WV on Monday. I have to say the bird population over where I hunt is as good as I have seen it since the early 2000s in my opinion. First morning my cousin Jonnie who had made the trip up from TN, he and I heard at least 6 birds and should have killed a couple if we had showed a little more patience. We moved on some and 2 hours later 2 were strutting right where we originally setup. We chased birds right up until 12:30 that were still gobbling, but could not produce a flop.
Next morning Jonnie had to unexpectedly go back to TN, so I went with Dad and my niece to a different spot I had told Jonnie that we would go the next morning.. there are always some birds using this big bottom and so I was optimistic. I was not dissapointed, the roost gobbling on this hunt was unreal and reminded me of Texas hunting. We heard at least 8 birds and 6 were close. 3 of those 6 ended up being Jakes, but they still gobbled like mad. Once they hit the ground it took 5 of them about 30 minutes to make it into the bottom and the Avian Jake did the rest. Only one of the 2 longbeards came close enough to shoot, and they both seemed a little leary as you will see on the Video, so I gave my niece Catie the green light and she dropped him at 42 yds with her Savage 20 GA. Nice 2 year old with a 10 3/4 beard.
Here is the Vid.
https://youtu.be/5GIIpFFy9Bk
Pics.
