One of the things I truly love about turkey hunting is that moment when you know it's gonna happen . It doesn't happen for every kill but I'd say 50-75% of the time there's a moment before the kill that you know it's all over for the bird.
I'll share a story that happened about 15 yrs ago .
I'd got on a good gobbling bird . It was the last weekend of the season , and it was one of the first yrs that Ohio had extended the season . The bird was gobbling hard but moving fast and I just couldn't get in front of him . He left the property I had permission and crossed a gravel township Rd into a pasture I couldn't hunt . I wrote him off and walked out the property I had access on without striking another bird . As I left that property I saw a truck parked on the Rd . I drove down and saw some guys in full camo . I chit chatted for a minute as we both watched the gobbler in full strut 400 yds away . They had already asked the property owner and had been shot down. I knew the owner well. But also knew he didn't want guys in his fields while he was grazing cows .
The whole time I'm talking to the guys I'm thinking about how I know the neighboring landowner , and that bird is 50 yds from the fence that splits the top of the hill .
We part ways and I drive directly to the neighbors . I see lights on and signs of life so after a quick door knocking they say go for it and I'm on my way .
I ease thru the oak woods knowing the bird is close . I creep up to the break of the knoll which is about 40 yds from the fence and seat myself against a big oak tree .
I wait a minute to let things settle nd let out a series of yelps . The whole time I haven't heard a thing . And have no idea if the bird is even around still . About 5 seconds later he gobbles . I answer and he gobbles again. At this point he knows where I'm at so I shut up.
A minute later he gobbles , and I can tell he's left the field and has crossed the fence ....
This is that moment you know it's a done deal as long as you don't mess up.
I let out a series of yelps and take off the safety and get my check tight on the stock while moving the gun towards his last gobble . Seconds later he's magically there , and I take that extra second to settle the bead before leveling him .
As I stand over him waiting for his last flops I am only 20 yds from the fence , and that other truck is still sitting down there . I can only guess their thoughts . But that hunt is one I think about as one that went from nothing to a flopping bird quickly .
I'll share a story that happened about 15 yrs ago .
I'd got on a good gobbling bird . It was the last weekend of the season , and it was one of the first yrs that Ohio had extended the season . The bird was gobbling hard but moving fast and I just couldn't get in front of him . He left the property I had permission and crossed a gravel township Rd into a pasture I couldn't hunt . I wrote him off and walked out the property I had access on without striking another bird . As I left that property I saw a truck parked on the Rd . I drove down and saw some guys in full camo . I chit chatted for a minute as we both watched the gobbler in full strut 400 yds away . They had already asked the property owner and had been shot down. I knew the owner well. But also knew he didn't want guys in his fields while he was grazing cows .
The whole time I'm talking to the guys I'm thinking about how I know the neighboring landowner , and that bird is 50 yds from the fence that splits the top of the hill .
We part ways and I drive directly to the neighbors . I see lights on and signs of life so after a quick door knocking they say go for it and I'm on my way .
I ease thru the oak woods knowing the bird is close . I creep up to the break of the knoll which is about 40 yds from the fence and seat myself against a big oak tree .
I wait a minute to let things settle nd let out a series of yelps . The whole time I haven't heard a thing . And have no idea if the bird is even around still . About 5 seconds later he gobbles . I answer and he gobbles again. At this point he knows where I'm at so I shut up.
A minute later he gobbles , and I can tell he's left the field and has crossed the fence ....
This is that moment you know it's a done deal as long as you don't mess up.
I let out a series of yelps and take off the safety and get my check tight on the stock while moving the gun towards his last gobble . Seconds later he's magically there , and I take that extra second to settle the bead before leveling him .
As I stand over him waiting for his last flops I am only 20 yds from the fence , and that other truck is still sitting down there . I can only guess their thoughts . But that hunt is one I think about as one that went from nothing to a flopping bird quickly .