It's been a rough first week of the season for me. Been close to a few but hearing most gobbles a long ways off. However I was able to contribute a small amount of points to the team this morning and got my first public land bird. Again this bird was a good ways away and the only bird I heard gobbling. After thinking I pinpointed where he was at jumped in truck and went to him. Got out of truck and heard him gobbling and almost moved again but decided I could ease through the woods to where I thought he might be. So I go 260 yds down the road and realize he's closer than what I thought. Got set up and few clicks and yelps and he come in on a string. Guess the good lord decided to bless me this morning after enduring those rough mornings this past week.

Bird was 18 lbs and has 1 1/8" spurs but either has bad beard genetics or beard rot or a combo of the two. His beard was 3 inches and no bigger round than a number 2 pencil.