Since moving to Tennessee a year ago, I have had to make quite the drive to turkey hunt in Alabama. Last year I was met with stubborn and henned up gobblers and couldn't make it happen. This year I made the drive during my spring break since the wife and kids' spring break isn't the same as mine. I arrived with not much time to scout before go time.




Opening morning I messed up every way you could. I called in two gobblers right off the roost and rushed a shot. BANG (x2) and they just stand there like what was that!? Oddly enough they continued to feed around and strut just out of range, but obliged me to continue to gobble at my calling. I let them work off into a creek bottom and made a move to get above them. Struck them up again and was set up for them to come up the road to my left. I could tell they were coming, so I got ready. I see two red heads bobbing to my right. Of course they're coming from that side. They stayed to the right and I tried the 'ol swing and shoot. It worked about like it always does, which is to say it didn't and I watched two turkeys fly off.

Really feeling like I've thrown away my opportunities I decide to go in and regroup. I set out for a different area to avoid further spooking those two gobblers. I set up and do some soft calling and strike a gobble. I shut up and in just a few minutes he is in front of me at 15 yds.





With the skunk off, it feels good to relax and enjoy some time in turkey camp. Day 2 arrives and I tried a new 150 acre chunk that was just acquired with no gobbling. Tried another large field edge with chufa and called in 3 jakes. Made a move about 3pm and spotted a lone gobbler in a field. I ran around him and set up next to the field in the woods. I called and he gobbled. I waited a few minutes and called again and he gobbled, closer this time. I thought he would come in straight in front of me, so I got ready and clicked the safety off. I'm now using my new .410 toy that I've only patterned, but never shot at a turkey.

I sit and wait for 10-15 minutes and start to hear drumming. I see the gobbler strutting in just like I thought he would and shot him dead at 25 yards. What a freaking awesome 2 day start to the season! This one had nice 1.25" hooks too!





The annual steak dinner to celebrate turkey season was held at Big Mike's since Elmer's has now closed.