I don't know of anything except turkey hunting that can make a man shed tears of frustration and tears of joy all in the same week! Call it bottom of the 9th inning heroics, 2nd and 26 in OT, or whatever but dang it, do whatever you can to get it done! It's been a pretty wild ride that last 3 days of the season and boy am I grateful to get another bird on the ground! After 22 hunts and just over 80 miles walked, I not ashamed to admit that I've put in the effort this year. I was so happy to finally score on Saturday and today was just as exhilarating! Here's the story.

I arrived early at the same cut over where I killed the bird Saturday and where I sat yesterday afternoon. I got there and nestled up against a big ole pine, laid my gun across my lap, crossed my ankles and waited for daylight. The woods began to come alive and as the full moon was setting in the west while the sun was peaking over the horizon in the east. Man, I just inhaled and took it all in! The sweet musty smell of the woods. The cardinals chirping. Doves cooing to each other. Owls letting everybody know they are on guard. Crows calling trying to round up more crows. Man, it's good to be alive in the spring woods. I said a little prayer thanking God for letting me experience another season.

At dawn nothing close was gobbling but I did hear one way off to the east gobble twice. He was a good ways off and since I didn't see anything yesterday afternoon, I decided I'd leave the cut over and go after him. He sounded close to the line but he was the only bird I could hear so off I went. After a little over a mile walk, I realized that he was definitely way over the line and moving further away. It wasn't gonna happen with him so ended up making a big loop and ended up back at the cut over. It was about 8 o'clock by then so I figured I'd sit there for an hour or so and then hunt my way through the woods back to the truck.

Well as I'm easing down a dry creek bed, I hear a gobble out in front of me. He's a little ways away but definitely in hunting range. I ease up about another 50 yards or so and he gobbles again. I could tell then that I needed to sit my butt down right now because he was definitely closer so I scrambled to find a tree. I sat down, got my gun up, and pulled out my box call and hit it a few times. Nothing. After 5 minutes, I send out a few yelps on my Fatal Attraxion glass call. Nothing. I know he's out there......but where? Where the heck is......Pfffttttttt..doooooooooom......whoa whoa whoa nelly! My heart just about came out of my chest! Then again......Pffffffftttttttt...dooooooooooom. Holy....crap. He's here now..... where the heck is he??!! Pffffffffft....doooooooooooom.
I'm scanning woods like I got crazy eyes but cant see him!!

He sounded as if he was to my left so I slowly ease my gun to my 10 o'clock and keep looking. Then..Pfffffffffft....doooooooooom. Oh...My...God. I look and there he is. Standing directly in front of me at 35 yards at my 12 o'clock. Nothing between us but air. How he just materialized in front of me I'll never know. It was like he just rose up out of the ground. But there he was. And he was freaking awesome looking. That red head...wattles flaming...beard hanging down from his chest. Man, he just looked majestic! Right in front of me!! He would drop into a half strut and drum and then stretch that neck up looking hard for that hen he heard. He stood there for a full minute and I was so busted if I so much as twitched so I just stayed like a statue. I hoped he would take about 3 steps to my right so he would be behind a little brush and give me the chance to move my gun. Thank God that's just what he did. When he moved, I moved my gun the 18 inches to the right and I was staring down my barrel at him as he passed some little branches. I cut at him to raise his head and let the Longbeard XR's do the rest! I saw that fan rolling around and him flopping and let me tell ya, Flash Gordon couldn't have beat me to that bird!! I got to him and put the boot on him and then got the obligatory adrenaline shakes and cough like I always get after a turkey kill! Man what a rush!! Ain't nothing like it. Nothing.

From the time I heard him until I killed him was under 20 minutes. I sat down and he was dead 10 minutes later. He could pass for the older brother of Saturdays' bird. He went 18lbs 12 oz, 1 inch spurs and a 10 inch beard. When I finally calmed down, I snapped a few pics. I got kind a little pic happy but I hope y'all enjoy them! Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't thank y'all for all the encouragement this season. It turned from one I wanted to forget to one I'll always remember! Funny how that happens with these birds!

Dr. B





I picked up this little shed as I was walking out with him

Awesome! Enjoyed the story and very happy for you and the way your season finished! I would have hung it up after the season you had endured. Way to keep at it!

Congratulations Doc. I like your shotgun.

Congratulations. Awesome story
It has been a tuff year this year for sure

Awesome story and thanks for sharing brother! Congrats teammate!!!

Congrats Doc! Way to finish strong and awesome pics!

Great story!! They are a very majestic and EXTREMELY frustrating critter!!! Congrats!!!

Well. Looks like another lucky 13 struck again. Congratulations- have a shotgun identical.

Great story, and congrats again!

Congrats Doc! Your persistence definitely paid off. Most folks would've given up with the year you were having.

Congrats Doc!

Where'd you get the hat?

That was a beautifully written story Doc and I enjoyed the read and the pics. I take more pics than any man probably should but after the hunt is over I love looking back through them all and reliving all the details. Congrats again man!

There ya go brother!! Congratulations!!

X2

Great Story Doc
Way to end the Season!!

Dr. B congrats once again on another fine bird and awesome hunt. I really enjoyed the story as it made me feel like I was right there with you. I’m very glad that you stuck with it and hunted hard after the way your season started out! Your efforts were rewarded

Better watch out for a man killing turkeys that wears a " go to hell hat".

Congratulations
Great read and pics.
Now you know how Tua felt all year
Way to stick with it and get it done in the second half

You can never take too many pics. Congrats Doc.

Awesome! Congrats!!!