I took two guys from work that had never been turkey hunting before. Set up in a patch I had disked in first light. He flew down early there Tuesday so I wanted to beat him there. Had a bird start gobbling a long ways off at 5:45. We went to him and got him to gobble a few times but he shut up. While I was calling to him I heard a bird answer me from behind us across the railroad tracks. Not our property so I didn't put much thought to him. 15 minutes later he gobbles in the clear cut between me and the train tracks behind me about 100 yards. I get turned around. The two newbies are facing the other way so I had decided to kill him if he shows. Heck I'll take them hunting but I ain't letting one slip by us. I get him across the little clear cut and of course he goes to my right and I can't get turned. I see him at 49 yards craning, then going into half strut, craning, half strut. Not moving at all. He can see me so I know he's looking for her. Clucks and purrs don't move him. I just need him to go left about 5 steps, he goes right and gets across a road from us. I let him slip by us. He's in some thinned pines now. He then proceeds to gobble and strut at everything I do for the next 45 minutes. I tried all I knew to do. Silence, fighting purrs, soft calling, silence, aggressive calling, silence... Finally he gobbles just over the crest of the hill and he's at about 45 yards. I tell the boys to get ready. Which they already were. I can't see him because of a brush pile. I see one of the boys stretch his neck up to see... putt putt. Game over. He gone. 🤦🏻‍♂️ I shoulda John Wayned him when I had the chance. Oh well. It was a fun morning.

Congrats on your bird to Semo. I shot mine at 30 yards mid gobble with 3 Jake's at 10 yards half gobbling. Was one of my favorite hunting experiences ever

That's awesome man. Congratulations

Congrats man that's a great bird.

Yeah, sad part is I grew up around him and really like the guy. But, he was injured pretty bad at work several years ago and really hasn't been the same since. He may get a second chance, but we will see (not this year).

^^
Sorry to hear

Cool. Sounds like they had you surrounded.

I’m sorry he got hurt. Sounds like he’s a little unstable and possibly dangerous now. Not someone I’d want to hunt with. Period. A lot of things in life deserve a second chance. This ain’t one of them. My .02 but probably not worth that. Congrats on a fine bird under those circumstances.

I hate turkey hunting.

We all do until our next bird😂

Heading up to KY early Monday. Got 1 bird left up there. 8 hrs total drive time for 1 bird. It surely is a sickness😁. Congrats to those that killed today.

I said the same thing when that bird got away from us this morning.

I love turkey hunting but hate these non-gobbling non-responsive sob’s. I think all our gobblers are they/them, lgbtg.

Hunted this morning on a public place that gets hammered hard. Saw a lone hen on a gas line, but that was it. Heard no gobbling activity.

I’m wondering the same thing. I’m in Northwest Tuscaloosa County and haven’t heard crap all season. I used to not pay much attention to all the “they’ll be done before season opens” comments, but I can’t help but wonder if that may be the case in my area this year.

I may be done for the season after this morning. I don’t mind birds kicking my tail but I’m not gonna keep wandering around the woods listening to nothing but crows and songbirds. Too many fish needing caught to deal with this crap.

They’re not done. They’re getting fired up on certain days and not others for no apparent reason. I have noticed this season I don’t have birds at all on several small tracts that I typically do. Haven’t heard a single bird on several places. Heard them ripping it nearly every day on two others though.

I appreciate your input and thanks

I watched 2 hens and 2 longbeards just glide on thru. The Toms were just strut walking along. I could have done “this turkey puss is free” call and it wouldn’t have mattered. No gobbling all season on my place except 1 morning but I know there are turkeys here just don’t gobble. Too many hens?

There are exceptions out there but for the most part it starts winding down now everywhere I’ve ever hunted. I’m usually finished and hardly hunted last week of April. Dam May is crazy and it will be hot as usual. Government jacked our season dates up so in my opinion we miss some good gobbling especially if weather cooperates.