Mom's First Turkey

After years of pursuit, Mom finally dropped the hammer on this Jake (11.5 lbs) on May 15th, 2015 at 6:30 AM. I was very happy to have been there during the event, providing purrs, yelps and clucks of encouragement to get the shy Jake to walk (hobble) the final few feet into the range of Mom's Mossberg 20g. Congrats Mom!

Turkey Season 2015 - Shot Video and Pictures

Turkeys were coming in well until at about 25 yards the two young jakes become alerted when I draw my bow. While I attempt to center on the rapidly departing twosome the yards quickly add up and my brain attempts to calculate arrow drop and lead. In the end, I have to admit that sometimes luck is a huge component of success and in this case lady luck shined. The jake still ran about 200 yards before collapsing, despite a devastating blow delivered by a RAGE broad head. Enjoy!

Jake Turkey take with PSE Stinger Bow

Jake Turkey but taken with a Bow a TRUE Trophy

Love the Color

Practice Make Perfect

Brook Trout and Turkey Down East

The month of May presents the last chance anglers have to chase brook trout before the waters warm by months end, making this species nearly impossible to catch. Two spectacular locations to pursue this endeavor are Simpson and Norse Ponds. Not only are these ponds regularly stocked with brook trout but they also both boast spectacular scenery sure to impress even the biggest curmudgeon.

Fishing Brook Trout
Simpson Pond (Delorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 26, D-3), located in Roque Bluffs State Park, sits just a few hundred yards from the Atlantic Ocean. The location is stunning so be sure to bring a camera as the park’s beautiful landscape is further enhanced by its abundant wildlife. During the early spring, Great Blue Herons, Bald eagles, Hooded Mergansers, Barrow's Goldeneye, Eiders, Surf Scooters, Blacks and Mallard ducks are plentiful.

While the fishing prospects may at first not look like much, this miniscule 21 acre pond regularly offers up brook trout and brown trout weighing between two and three pounds. Stocked by Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) every fall with brown trout and every spring with brook trout, the pond is a favorite fishing destination for shore-anglers using a worm and bobber. While the small pond can be effectively fished from shore, a canoe or kayak (motorboats are prohibited) provides anglers with the added flexibility to explore some of the harder to fish areas, frequently holding second season brook trout that sometimes attain lengths of 13-15 in. On calm evenings, it is an absolute joy to fly fish by wading the ponds shallow waters (5 ft maximum), tempting trout with small caddis and mayfly patterns. Anglers with kids will be pleased to know that the park is a wonderful area for families with easy hiking trails, a sandy ocean beach and a pond side picnic tables, fireplaces for cookouts, and swings for children.

Norse Pond (Map 27, C-2) exists as part of the 1,775-acre Bog Brook Cove preserve located in the heart of Maine’s Bold Coast. The 10 acre pond located east of the scenic fishing village of Cutler was stocked in the fall of 2013 with 350 brook trout measuring about 8 inches. Norse is a unique fishing location, as reaching the pond is only possible by hiking approximately one-mile on the Moose Cove trail. Access is further hampered by the ponds boggy shoreline that makes fishing from shore difficult. Anglers who overcome these obstacles by carrying in small kayaks or float tubes are usually richly rewarded with brook trout ranging from 11 to 15 inches. Legend states that Norse Pond was created by Norsemen as a water supply for one of their coastal Maine encampments. While these claims have been refuted by experts, it is still fun to walk the impressive bold cost trails and imagine that these ancient adventurers once walked these trails and gazed upon these same magnificent shores. To access the Norse Pond trailhead travel 18.5 miles north on Route 191, from the junction of Route 1 and Route 191 in East Machias. A small parking area and sign exists at the trail head.

Turkey Hunting 
Turkey hunters Down East were surprised during the spring 2014 turkey hunt by a last minute decision by Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) to suspend the previously scheduled opening of spring turkey hunting across all of Washington County. This change happened so rapidly, that last year my published May column still had mention that turkey hunting throughout Washington County would be open. While I understand that IFW made this choice because it was worried about the number of turkeys that managed to survive during the harsh winter, it was ultimately a poor choice that added unnecessary confusion among sportsmen. One less year of turkey hunting is not going to magically ensure turkeys are permanent Down East residents. As long as IFW doesn’t again change its mind; turkey season is scheduled to run May 4, 2015 through June 6, 2015 with youth day for both residents and nonresidents occurring on May 2, 2015. According to IFW’s website, ALL Wildlife Management Districts (WMD) are open to hunting spring turkeys with bag limits per WMD as follows: WMD's 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 , 28 and 29 with two (2) bearded wild turkey bag limit and WMD’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, with a one (1) bearded wild turkey bag limit.

When attempting to locate turkeys, it pays to slowly walk or drive Washington Counties thousands of miles of logging roads and snowmobile / ATV paths. This method of “running and gunning” allows turkey hunters to be mobile, locate early morning gobblers and setup quickly for a chance at harvesting one of these impressive and beautiful birds. Prime turkey hunting locations exist throughout Washington County, with a fun and exciting hunt starting in Northfield (Map 26, B-2) and driving logging roads into Smith Landing, the beautiful Great Falls (Map 26, B-2) and continuing south following the Machias River into Whitneyville. For a coastal hunters searching for a WMA to explore, I suggest the 649-acre Jonesboro WMA (Map 26, C-2). For more specifics on the spring turkey hunt, see the IFW website at: www.maine.gov/ifw.

May and June Have this Sportsman Talking Turkey

This short article was published in the Sportsman Alliance of Maine (SAM) May/June 2015 Newsletter . . . enjoy!

My boots strip dew from the tall grass leaving behind ghostly footprints that will disappear soon after the sun crests the horizon. Not a single breath of air circulates; the absolute stillness magnifies the sound of my heavily beating heart. The early spring morning darkness and thick fog hang heavy, concealing my approach. A crow screams out in the distance, making me distinctly aware the slumbering forest is awakening, my pace quickens. Suddenly, a gobble erupts from the tree line and my arms break out in goose bumps. Am I too late? Was I seen approaching? Is the hunt over before it had even begun? Hastily setting up my portable blind, I hope against hope that the hunting gods will be kind.

There is something distinctly awakening about an early spring turkey hunt. Maine’s forest seems greener, dew sweeter, the sun’s light warmer and smells more pungent. Perhaps it is the previous months of relative hunting inactivity or the return to the woods after a long cold winter, either way pursuing Old Tom sure has a way of stirring man’s primitive soul.

Hunting turkeys with bow and arrow is a sport designed to test the patience of man. Along with the time that must be devoted to practice and preseason scouting, hunters must also be prepared to spend hours in the field awaiting an ethical shot opportunity. Many dedicated archers will devote an entire season of effort and never get a turkey. For a majority of sportsmen, this challenge is what makes the sport exciting.

Preseason Scouting Experienced archers turn these diminutive odds in their favor, by patterning birds before the season begins. Throughout the season, birds will continue the same basic day-to-day schedule even if disturbed by light hunting pressure. Monitor changes in behavior, be flexible and modify ambush plans as necessary to match the bird’s routines. Adaptability insures you are consistently where the birds want to be. Natural terrain features like rock walls, logging roads, pathways connecting fields and other funnels will help direct birds to within bow range.

Blinds
A ground blind is an archer’s best friend. Offering a portable means of hiding from Old Tom’s sharp eyes, protection from Maine’s fickle spring weather, as well as biting insects they are worth the investment. To choose from the multitude of offerings, it pays to “try before you buy”. Sportsmen should sit in a variety of blinds and review them for space, weight, visible shooting lanes and available amenities (gear hooks, bow holders, lights). Other important considerations are blinds possessing a degree of water resistance. Some of the more budget conscious blinds are not waterproof. If you select one of these blinds, use silicon spray to coat both the inside and out to insure you stay dry. The final decision should be a balance of cost and function that makes the most sense to you.

Maine in the spring is ripe with biting insects. To combat these pests, ground blinds equipped with shoot through mesh are invaluable. Hunters will also encounter and need to combat the deer tick. These nasty critters carry the serious and debilitating Lyme disease. To protect your person, rake away all leaf matter and debris from the inside of the blind footprint, dose with a liberal application of bug spray and be sure to tuck in clothing. After each hunt your clothing should be run through the washer and dryer to guarantee that no ticks fall off your clothing and find their way into your living quarters. Spouses frown on deer ticks crawling up their legs when they are cooking morning breakfast! Finally, sportsmen should conduct a “tick check”. This ritual consists of stripping to your birthday suit and dancing in front of a full-length mirror to insure no stowaways have jumped aboard.

Bow Hunting Lessons Learned 
Decoys are both a benefit and a curse. Mature Toms can be extremely leery about approaching a decoy. If using decoys be sure to set them no further than 5 yards from your position. If a bird decides to investigate this gives you an excellent point blank opportunity. If a bird hangs on the outside perimeter you will still be provided with a 20-25 yard shot. Turkeys adore the rain and some of my most productive days have occurred when it is pouring. Do not be afraid to go out in heavy precipitation, as birds will be out in force. Besides, watching turkeys shake like wet dogs is a comical show not to be missed. A bow need not be set to high poundage for turkey hunting. A lighter weight will allow for a more controlled draw and a longer hold, a definite plus for spooky Toms.

To make sure your arrow arrives at the correct destination, archers should study turkey impact shot charts so they clearly understand exactly where a critical shot must be placed. Arrow quivers attached to your bow can be a liability as they change the balance of your outfit. They can also be difficult to manage in the close quarters of a hunting blind. If you plan to use your quiver while hunting make sure to have it attached during your practice sessions. I take mine off the bow once I arrive at the blind, so that it doesn’t interfere with shooting.

Final Thoughts 
Maine’s turkey population is increasing rapidly and this spring is the perfect time for you to get out and arrow one of these magnificent birds. For many sportsmen the most difficult part of any hunt is the waiting game. Turkey hunting can for some be a quick trip into the woods and at the same time for others it can be a season long event. Persistence will pay in the end for the dedicated archer. The trick is not to lose hope, don’t be disheartened and remember that your trophy bird could be just over the next hillside.

Oh Crap!

Disclaimer: I don't know what makes me write stuff like this, I will most likely grow-up to be one of those really old guys who always wants to talk to you about his colon. I hope those of you reading will sympathize with my plight and maybe even a few of you will be in the "been there done that" club. Ok, enough talk! Hope you enjoy the story!

Sitting quietly in the turkey blind, watching the woods awaken on a beautiful spring morning, the peaceful solitude is suddenly disturbed. Out of the darkness, you hear a low rumbling sound, as if a freight train is hurtling toward your position. As you strain your senses, to hear and determine the cause of this rude interruption, you realize against all your worst fears, that the sound is coming from your lower intestines.

This predicament causes you much angst as you realize that a trip outside of the turkey blind now will most certainly spook the entire field for the remainder of the morning. As you fight back the growing discomfort, you know that your time is limited. Checking your watch you think, I can hold it 6 more hours. As beads of sweat break out on your forehead and goosebumps appear on your arms, you realize that you are totally lying to yourself. The cinqo de mayo celebrations, consisting of 4 jalapeno laced burritos, 5 spoonfuls of spicy salsa, 4 hot wing appetizers and 6 Coronas will sadly have their revenge. With a heavy heart, you come to the conclusion that the rebel uprising will not be quelled lest the Mexican invasion be eradicated.

Searching your pockets, all you manage to find is dryer lint and the powered remains of what, may at one time have been paper towel. Frantically, you rummage through your turkey vest finding only spare shells, Redman chaw, a box call and the dried mummified remains of something that may have once been a ham sandwich. Cursing now with displeasure, discomfort and distaste at your complete failure to prepare for this catastrophe, you begin to eyeball the upper two thirds of your brand new smart wool socks. Remembering that they cost you 20 bucks you quickly make the decision to find an alternative. Staring out of the blind window, you try to remember exactly what poison ivy looks like, while at the same time trying to forget that you badly failed botany in college.

Now completely and utterly on the verge of total collapse, you quietly squeeze under the blind wall and fumble for a handful of nearby shrubbery. As thorns tear into the softest part of you palm, you let out a soft whimper and speedily search for a plant less likely to leave your bottom permanently mutilated. With frightening clarity, your mind projects a picture of the Canadian flag and you remember something about a maple leaf. Seeing a tree now with a similar adornment of photosynthesizing projections, you grab an entire handful.

With all of these delays, you have now reached terror alert level red! Tearing at your belt buckle, like you have lobster claws for hands, you somehow manage to drop your drawers. Your mind screams NOW and in seconds, you are overcome with happiness, the battle for intestinal tranquility is won!

While doing what you can to clean up the crime scene, you note a large double beard tom slide quietly back into the woods and you realize that in all wars there are survivors and there are casualties, to the victor goes the spoils so to speak. You have won today Mr. Turkey but watch out for me tomorrow, for I come armed with Imodium and cheese!!

Spring Fishing, Early Season Fly Fishing and Last MInute Gobblers

Spring Fishing West Grand Lake 
The long Memorial Day weekend marks our annual spring fishing trip, to the classic salmon habitat of West Grand Lake. A full month before the weekend, the planning begins in earnest, as family and friends make the fishing gear transition from ice fishing to trolling. Ice shacks hauled off shaky ice, become reverted temporarily back to garden sheds. Trolling rods, yanked from garage rafters, undergo thorough inspections and reels containing last season’s lines are stripped off and new installed. Flies and lures, beaten from last season’s angling battles, are checked for bend shafts, missing barbs and have their hooks re-sharpened. Though perhaps a tad bit excessive in preparation, it puts me more at ease absolutely knowing the strength and quality of my fishing line, gear and tackle, rather than relying on pure faith, when battling a wall worthy salmon or lake trout (togue).

Late May, brings with it hordes of hungry salmon and togue, intoxicated by newly available forage and driven wildly by hunger, after the desolate winter season. Despite their wanton desires to fill their empty bellies and replace depleted fat reserves, this does not mean, however, that the fish are always biting and hungry. Last season, our first day of fishing was marked by incredible action, spurred by a titanic eruption of Hendrickson mayflies that whipped the salmon into a feeding frenzy. In a day of trolling the lake from sunrise to sunset, from the Grand Lake Stream Village landing to Hardwood Island and concluding at the mouth of Whitney Cove, we succeeded in bringing 20 salmon to the boat. Most fish were between 15-17 inches and included one well-fed football shaped monster that succeeded in registering 18 inches.

 Our second day was considerably more difficult and the salmon needed A LOT of “convincing” to elicit strikes. Through trial and error, we managed to get several average salmon into the boat, finally hitting gold with any lure containing the color “pink”. The remainder of the weekend was marked by high winds, cold temperatures and our last half-day of fishing, yielded not a single strike. As in all angling adventures, there are highs and lows, times when the fish bite and times when the “strikes” go cold.

 Show me a map of West Grand Lake and it would be difficult for me to indicate a specific spot where I have fished and not caught many fine salmon and togue including; Whitney Cove, the Throughfare, around Hardwood Island, Oxbrook, Pineo Point and many other locations. I am confident that when the fish are biting, anyone with a basic sense of direction and a good depth map will find success.

West Grand Lake should not be trifled with any time of year but especially during the early season. Those wishing to fish its watery depths need to have a backup plan should weather turn dangerously nasty. The ice may have long since receded but unfriendly winds can still nip flesh and past trips have run the totality of extremes from arctic conditions, to sunny blue bird days spent lounging around in shorts and t-shirts. As the saying goes, this is typical of Maine weather and it is better to simply be prepared than second-guess what Mother Nature might decide to offer up. Look for West Grand Lake on DeLorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 35, B-3, B-4.

Fly-Fishing Grand Lake Stream 
A predictable alternative, when the weather turns wild on West Grand Lake, is fly-fishing Grand Lake Stream. The area below the dam on the West Grand Lake end of the stream is popular and can get crowded. Don’t be disappointed, most people freely offer advice on what flies are working and will help point you to fish. For a more tranquil experience, don’t be afraid to leave this area and thoroughly explore the stream, finding your own secret spots.

May fly and caddis patterns are good choices or for more specific advice, fly- fish with the suggested flies, from the local town store/fishing shop. Use caution when wading the stream and be sure to bring a full arsenal of bug spray. Typical of May the stream is typically so thick with blackflies that opening your mouth will result in collecting enough to make a fairly healthy sized appetizer.

 If you are short on time and/or experience, the area lodges will happily assist you in finding a registered Maine guide to lead you around the stream and take you to the best pools. Look for Grand Lake Stream on DeLorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 35, B-4.

Last Minute Gobblers
By the end of May, turkey hunting has typically digressed to the point of sheer desperation. The gobbling has all but shut down, the black flies are miserable and with each labored footfall, the noon day sun makes sweat oozes from every pore. A month of hard hunting, has taken its toll on body as well as spirit and early mornings now necessitate much coffee to fuel bodies beyond the front door. The barely containable excitement, felt in the first few weeks, has now faded and hunters begin to accept that they may end up birdless. I encourage you to continue to be vigilant and not succumb. Instead refocus your attentions and hold out for those last few days. Late season turkeys require you to add a few different tactics to your normal turkey hunting tool kit. This includes calling less if at all and leaving the decoys at home. Examine the ground carefully for fresh tracks and scratchings, indicating recent travel activity. Find these often used woods roads and trails that frequently force turkeys into narrow connecting points between roosting and feeding areas. Incorporate deer hunting tactics, and sit at these ambush locations. Use a blind, have a seat, good bug spray or a Thermacell and prepare yourself for a long sit. With the right amount of patience and perseverance, that late season gobbler will be yours! Good Luck!

Spring Fishing , Turkeys and Zombies

The month of April means transition. Winter breaths its last dying breath and lakes and ponds begin transitioning back to their liquid states. Historical averages, predict that ice out on West Grand Lake will occur before the end of the month and anxious anglers will be practically foaming at the mouth to begin trolling for salmon and togue.

While diehards will launch their boats onto West Grand as soon as possible, personal preference, finds my family and friends invading Grand Lake Stream over the long Memorial Day weekend, about a month after the predicted ice out. This later start, certainly doesn’t guarantee good weather but the daylight lingers longer and the average temperature tends to be higher, helping to make the fishing more enjoyable.

Instead of tempting fate on the waters of West Grand, I propose this is the perfect month to invest time in conducting a bit of early season prepping, for the beginning of turkey season. 

Turkey Hunting 
 With the huge success of the reintroduction of the eastern turkey to Maine, most of the state now is able to participate in a productive spring hunting season. Though Washington County has seen an impressive increase in the number of wild turkeys over the last several years, the population still does not rival what can be expected in some of the more southern WMDs. Washington County shines, however, in light hunting pressure, with most hunters seeing very little competition throughout the course of a season. This leads sportsmen to a more enjoyable and laid back hunt and birds that respond well to calls through the spring season.

Wildlife Management Districts (WMD) 19 and 28 are both open to spring wild turkey hunting. This allows for turkey hunting throughout a majority of Washington County, excluding coastal WMD 27 which includes the communities of Calais, Machias, Lubec and Milbridge. For more specifics on the borders of 19, 28 and 27 please see the IFW website at: www.maine.gov/ifw.

By far the single most important aspect of any successful turkey hunting trip is scouting. Putting boots on the ground, thoughtfully listening for awakening early morning birds, watching their daily patterns and determining where they roost in the evening, will allow hunters an excellent chance of harvesting a trophy bird. When locating birds, practically any loud game call will work, including duck, bard owl, crow and even coyote howls. I fondly remember one morning, getting a big old tom furiously shock gobbling, to one of my favorite mallard duck calls. The only rule to scouting birds being never attempt to locate gobblers with hen calls, until you are actually hunting them. Educating turkeys to understand a predator (human) is making hen calls will only lead to problems once the season begins.

Prime turkey hunting locations exist throughout Washington County, with some locales obviously much better than others. Do not limit your hunting to large open fields, as often better hunting options exist on smaller skidder roads, snowmobile trails and power lines where the compacted areas better funnel birds into effective range. After locating that perfect hunting spot, plan to hunt on weekdays, rather than Saturdays. Hunting pressure is lighter during the week, reducing potential conflicts with other hunters. Nobody wants to go through the heart wrenching dilemma of arriving at their prime hunting location, only to find someone already parked there. Also, if possible find multiple locations in which to hunt, should your first or even second choice become compromised.

Every year it greatly surprises me the large number of people who attempt to shoot a turkey and simply miss what should have been an easy shot. This regrettable situation can typically be avoided by knowing well the operation, range and pattern produced by your shotgun. To accomplish this task safely, select a gun range or one of the many large open gravel pits that exist around the state. While Washington County contains several gravel pits where firearms enthusiasts can ply their trade, my favorite pit can be found on Route 9 (the Airline) 1.5 miles from the wilderness (Eagle Mountain) lodge, driving toward Calais at GPS coordinates N 44 54.346’ W067 51.509’.

Be sure to practice shooting from a sitting stance, as this will likely be the same position you will be in while targeting turkeys in the field. Know your effective kill zone by pacing off your intended range and examining the number of pellets that hit your intended target. When in the field pace off this identical distance and mark it with three sticks, making a half circle directly in front of you. Put your decoy about 20 paces out approximately in the center of this ½ circle and you are now prepared to critically hit any turkey that enters this defined space.

Target Shooting 
While at the pit, be sure to bring along your favorite shotguns, rifles and pistols and spend a little extra time practicing your shooting skills. Hand held launchers are an inexpensive way to throw clay pigeons or if shooting alone, the spring powered foot triggered rigs, provide hours of fun. For those of us liking more bang for our buck, bring along some tannerite (www.tannerite.com). This legal exploding rifle target, adds a lot of joy to long range target shooting. Upon impact, with a high powered rifle round, a sizeable explosion occurs from these relatively diminutive targets, making it impossible to question if a target was hit, even at extended ranges.

Lastly for the close range pistol shooting, I recommend bringing along zombie targets. My favorite is the relatively inexpensive two dimensional Birchwood Casey's Darkotic Zombie targets that ooze such realism; I can almost smell the rotten flesh. For big spenders, zombieindustries.com has an impressive selection of three dimensional bleeding zombie targets and also offer their own exploding rifle targets (similar to tannerite) called “Zomboom”, as well as wide selection of life sized paper zombie targets.

The Wildman and The Savage Go Turkey Hunting

The Rabid, Wild & Savage Outdoorsmen!

As could be expected, I was very excited to finally get a chance to take the youngsters out for their very first turkey hunt. Though I expected a considerable amount of wiggling, talking and general mayhem from both the Wildman and the Savage, I still had high hopes we just might be able to get a gobbler to respond to our calling. I entered this experience knowing full well that any chance a turkey would actually approach to within visual range of my “exceedingly active” 4 and 6 year olds would be as they say, someplace squarely between slim and none.

Oh, I suppose someplace out there in the vast wilderness, there might exist a mentally challenged turkey with suicidal tendencies but I am under the impression a very happy coyote already likely ate him. No worries, as I knew both boys would be happy if they could just get out in the wilds with their Dad.

Being a Sunday, I was not legally able to carry a gun but that isn’t something I would introduce to a 4 and 6 year old anyway. Introduction to the finer points of marksmanship can come in a few years, when their bodies and minds are more focused. It is better at this age, to teach them how to identify the difference between hens, jakes and toms and how to pursue/lure turkeys, using calls, tracking and hide using effective camouflage.

Our plan was simple, we were to cut and run while walking out to our turkey blind, set-up our turkey decoy with a pull string and then spend 15-20 minutes playing with the decoy and practicing calling with our slate and box calls. Also, we would practice sitting still and whispering . . . likely more challenging for kids this age than anything else!

The Adventure Begins: 
After managing to rouse the sleepy heads out of bed, I proceeded to top off their empty bellies with Cheerios, Ring Dings and jellybeans. After all, if they are going to be hunters, they need to start eating like hunters! With considerable effort, the three of us finally managed to roll out the door around 9:00 AM, with us all sporting our most fashionable camouflage clothing.

Thankfully, a short walk leads to prime turkey territory so by 8:05 AM we were “hunting”. As we proceeded to walk to the turkey blind, the Wildman tore up the slate call with a series of deafening clucks and yelps, while the Savage happily abused my expensive handmade box call. I was excited to see that both devices reek of durability, still managing to function even after being repeatedly submersed in mud puddles. To see how our adventure went, please see the video below:

After our introduction to life in a turkey blind and the close gobbler encounter, the kiddos were still pretty excited to do some more “hunting”. On their direction, we need to track and follow the turkey to see exactly where he went. After not being able to find the turkey or much sign, we walked down to the beaver flowage (cutting and running the whole way) to check on the wood duck nesting box the three of us installed last winter. After watching and waiting for a very long and painful 5 minutes, we concluded that it was indeed empty of occupants and we began to s-l-o-w-l-y walk back home.

On the way, we pulled the memory card out of the game camera and replaced it with a new one. I explained to the kids that game cameras “trigger’ by motion and take pictures when something walks or moves in front of it. Curious and wanting to ham it up of the camera, I soon had 5 images and 150 seconds of video of something they are calling the “wiggle, wiggle your butts dance”. I would share the video but their dancing was infectious and I cannot allow the public to view my ghastly display of gyrating and shaking.

After the dancing, we proceeded toward home and noted several spots where turkey had come through and scraped up the leaves looking for bugs and grubs to eat. We also found several turkey tracks in the mud and measured them with our hands and tried to determine if it was a big “Tom” turkey or a little “Hen” turkey.

Arriving home, I noted smiling happy faces on two kiddos that appeared to have had a fun and enjoyable morning “hunting” turkeys with their Dad. In the end, what more really is there to hunting then spending time in the wilds with your loved ones and friends, sharing good times, stories and fun. Sure there is always the excitement of pulling the trigger, and I would be lying if I said I am not VERY excited to see the day when both of my boys harvest their first turkey. For the time being, however, I am content to wait and enjoy our “hunting” time together for what it is . . . pure love.
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*If your planning to take your kids our “hunting” for turkeys be sure to read: “My First Turkey Hunt” by Michael and Curtis Waguespack, it’s a great way to introduce your child to turkeys before they even set foot in the wilds!
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More on Animal Scat and Tracks Here:

• Blue Whales Go Caca 
• Photographing Animal Tracks 

Big Boy Tom Lurks the Maine Woods

This photo depicts "Big Boy", a Tom turkey who has been lurking about my favorite hunting spot for the past several years. He is very smart and will immediately run the other way with the slightest off tune calling or upon seeing a decoy. Though many classify him as an mythic animal of legend, I know that he is only a turkey with the brain the size of a pea. Prepare to match wits with me "Big Boy", we will soon see who has the last laugh!

*Please ignore date, I apparently do not have the cranial capacity to correctly set a game camera! Hmmm, perhaps this battle of wits may no go as I had originally planned . . . stay tuned!

Game Cameras Help Pattern Turkeys

As these photos show, game cameras really do assist hunters in pinpointing times and areas where turkeys congregate. With a couple well placed game cameras in areas thought to hold birds, hunters can also quickly see the quality of the animals that are coming through. This creates an advantage for the hunter that allows them to save time and hopefully harvest a mature Tom. Good luck to all those, in pursuit of turkeys this spring season!

Youth Day Turkey Hunting Success!

Congratulations to Austin on His First Turkey (15.4 lbs, 7 in Beard and 3/4 in Spurs)!

Turkey Two - 2010

I do not know what possessed me to purchase my second turkey tag of the Maine season. Perhaps somewhere deep in my psyche, lies a sick and demented morning person who revels in the sound an alarm clock makes at 4:30 AM. This love affair with the twilight before the impending sunrise is only magnified by my long beard obsession. Apparently my “ID” is in need of some extensive therapy work to cure me of poultry passion. I wonder what a therapist would have to say about that!

With time on the spring season getting short, I counted the number of days I had left to hunt and decided that I might just as well throw my hat back in the ring. Family and friends would want to hunt, and sitting on the couch eating turkey nuggets is no way to spend a glorious spring morning. After shooting my first turkey of the season on Thursday, I had an uneventful day hunting on Friday. The gobblers were lighting up early morning but nothing was moving around in the fields. Saturday, I put that old curmudgeon Lenny on the exact same set I had shot the first bird and he saw and heard nothing all morning. Meanwhile, I hunted and scouted out another location. Monday, I returned to this identical spot and shot my final bird of the season. At 7:30AM two tom turkeys strutted directly down the side of the field and taking aim and firing, I dropped the lead bird directly on top of my 40 yard marker stake! At 14lbs 14 ozs and having an 8 ½ inch beard and ¾ inch spurs he wasn’t a giant but still a beautiful bird.

If this entire scenario has taught me anything, it is that persistence pays huge dividends. Find a good spot to set-up and be confident in your decision. If you have doubts move but if you scouted hard and know the birds movement, make the commitment!

Lastly, I am sure you have heard me on numerous occasions extol the virtues of my Browning 10 gauge BPS but when the shot counts and you need to reach out and touch something it’s a deadly and powerful turkey machine. I thoroughly enjoy telling the story of a conversation I had with a friend of mine who had just started turkey hunting. He shared that while hunting he had a monstrous tom lock up just past his decoy at approximately 50 yards. Perplexed at how to get the turkey any closer he inquired what he might have done wrong and wanted to know what I would have done in the same situation? I responded that I would have pulled the trigger. Visibly confused and knowing I was an ethical hunter he asked why, I said well, because I own a 10 gauge. LOL!

Turkey Success - 2010

The simple pull of the trigger released an expected but monstrous KABOOM, that echoed across the field, shattering the morning silence with incredible voracity. A rainstorm of ruin, tore through the thin veil of maple leaves, twigs and raspberry bushes leaving them looking like a spaghetti strainer that had been run over by a bushhog. The devastating effect of 10-gauge number 5 turkey shot delivered a lethal payload of shock and awe to the neck of the unsuspecting gobbler. The end result for Tom turkey was almost immediate, in seconds the long beard’s final death throes were complete.

As my muscles relaxed, a huge sigh escaped my lips and I slumped back against the titanic twisted cow pasture pine. Checking my watch it read 7:15 AM, I had been on the sit for less than two hours, with only occasional distant gobbling to keep me hopeful. While expectations had run high, my track record to this point in the season had me less than encouraged. After weeks of attempting to seduce call shy birds, seemingly possessing the supernatural ability to pick out decoys and turkey blinds, I finally decided to switch tactics.

For the seasoned turkey hunter, there are three primary ways to hunt turkeys. In order of preference, for a majority of hunters, these include spot and stalk, sitting and calling and hedging their bets on travel routes. Hunters can of course combine any or all of these tactics to ensure success. Early season, decoys, calling and blinds can effectively be used to harvest turkeys, however, as the season progresses birds quickly adapt and begin to shy away from these attempts at trickery. To combat this predicament, roosting birds at night, heavy scouting and a careful study of turkey behavior will eventually outwit even the smartest long beards.

As the end of the month approaches, patterning turkey movements will put bashful birds in front of the barrel almost every time. Turkeys, like all animals, have specific feeding and bedding (roosting) areas and travel corridors between these zones. The astute sportsman can use this information to distinct advantage. In my case, this involved setting up on a short woods road running between two large fields. In previous outings, I had noted that turkeys were feeding and strutting between these two specific fields and they appeared comfortable using the easy to navigate woods road as sort of a turkey highway. Scouting had also identified large Tom tracks along this stretch of road, further increasing the chance of seeing a large mature gobbler. My extremely simple plan was to pull the infamous tactic sit, wait and see. With any luck, a turkey would be in my gun sight before 9:00 AM.

Throwing my turkey vest into the truck at 5:00 AM, I was thankful to have had an extra hour of sleep. Late season hunting calls for late morning starts, to better link with the habits of call shy prowling toms and the sleeping habits of exhausted turkey hunters. I was also extremely grateful that my load of equipment was lacking blind, calls and decoys, all of which had lost their sense of “turkey” appeal over the last three weeks of hunting. To get to untouched birds, it was a ½ hour hike and 20 less pounds of equipment made for an enjoyable early morning walk rather than seemingly endless death march.

Arriving at the base of the large pine on the edge of a small field at 5:45 I could hear low gobbles in the distance and knew that my chances were good. Pre-thought and pre-scouting had me already construct a small blind of dead branches and clear the area under the tree of debris. I supplemented my “natural” camouflage, with a light mossy oak printed netting to provide additional coverage to sparse areas.

With no slate or box call to yelp on, I was pleasantly content to sit and listen to the awakening morning. An excited chorus of song birds, crickets and crows created such and auditory spectacle that I almost forgot to listen to the approaching gobbles growing louder by the minute. Having been caught off guard by sneaky turkeys, on many occasions, I slowly repositioned and raised the shotgun. Waiting, five minutes passed and a mosquito made a lunch of my eyebrow, 10 minutes passed and my fingertips began to go numb, 15 minutes passed and my arm began to shake. Just as I prepared to readjust, a hen walked into view and I knew that any movement would cause her to signal an alarm putt and the game would be up. In the stillness of the morning, not a breath of air stirred and the shake of my shotgun barrel appeared as disruptive as a hurricane. Still I held on, closing my eyes and concentrating every physical effort not to move. As I opened my eyes, I noted a large red, white and blue head poking around behind the hen and the huge open fan of a mature Tom. While my original plan had been for the long beard to strut his way into a narrow opening on the edge of the field, the hen’s nervous nature had me quickly organizing an alternate route to my target. As the Tom spun his tail to my position, I wasted no time shifting the necessary ½ foot. Seemingly on instinct, my finger slipped into the trigger guard and with a quick twitch of muscle fiber the day was won.

At 17 lbs 8 ozs and brandishing 5/8th inch spurs he wasn’t the biggest Tom to wander to close to the end of my shotgun barrel, however, the 11 inch beard he was dragging beat my previous records by a full inch. To say I was excited would be an understatement! No matter how many turkey or deer I have taken over the years, the thrill of the hunt never seems to be dulled by the passage of time or the number of creatures harvested. I suppose if it ever does, it would be my signal that perhaps my time hunting is over and I should take up other pursuits. In the meantime, my turkey tale is still not yet complete, as Maine now allows the harvesting of 2 spring bearded turkeys and wouldn’t you know it . . . I have another tag and two more weeks of season to fill it!

Happy hunting all and for those of you who have not yet harvested a long beard good luck!

Turkey Hunt Gone Bad

So I try not to take it personally, that my turkey calling is apparently so bad that I manage to call in Canada geese but then again if you listen really carefully my cluck, cluck, cluck does kinds sound like honk, honk, honk. To my credit, later in the morning I putted, purred, clucked and yelped in 4 hens using nothing but my mouth . . . so I guess I am not as bad at this turkey hunting as these geese would have me believe!

All kidding aside, I had a great morning watching these two “strut” around the field and they were so polite and neighborly they even stopped by to say hello to my hen decoy. Animal behavior and interaction never ceases to amaze me and every trip into the woods is an educational adventure!

A Sportsman's Reflection

The first gobbles start up at 5:00, appearing about a hundred miles away. A light wind is caressing the pine trees and the sound is delightful. A bone chilling rain is pouring down from the heavens but I am protected within the womb like confines of the turkey blind.

The buzz of a woodcock and the drum of a nearby grouse keep me company and a bird call, I knew long ago, serenades me with "Poor Sam Peabody, Peabody".

The collected rain, on the grass, looks delicious, like it should taste like honey. I try and imagine what someone would think if they saw me on my knees licking the lawn and smile.

The awakening flowers and apple blossoms release a fragrance that drifts lazily through the blind lulling me into quite reflection.

A red tailed hawk screams out of the sky and snatches a mouse from the meadow and then just as quickly flies away. I marvel at his speed and precision.

The turkeys don't seem to want to corporate but the show provided by the flora and fauna lifts my spirit and moves my soul.

Why do we hunt? You might just as well be ask, why do we live or for that matter exist at all? An outdoors man is permanently and deeply connected to the wild places of this earth and a flame of passion burns deep within his heart.

Turkey 2010 Updates

The 2010 Maine turkey season is currently underway! So far, several family and friends have stopped by the house to try their luck at shooting the majestic eastern wild turkey. Despite hearing many birds on the opener, yesterday was eerily quite. Huge crowds of sportsman hit the fields in droves for the opener, causing a sizeable disturbance in the patterns and behavior of the flocks. This obviously made for difficult hunting yesterday for the visiting New Hampshire cru and that old curmudgeon Lenny who watched several birds run screaming away from his decoys. For the turkey hunter, looking to bag a bird, Thursday and Friday promise to be great days to get into the woods. Typically, there is a huge drop off in the number of people in the woods near the end of the first week as many try to get some much needed sleep after day early mornings getting up at 3:00 AM.

I have seen some beautiful mature birds during my scouting outings, including an absolutely HUGE double bearded bird that I will be pursuing on Thursday and Friday morning. Saturday will be my first full day (till 12:00pm) in the woods and will be joined by family on this outing. Depending on how Thursday and Friday go, I may even be talked into pulling out the bow, as long as the weather conditions and birds corporate. The Old Man will be attempting to take his first turkey with his new compound bow and to assist him with this endeavor I have patterned several birds working the property along fairly regular travel corridors.

New this season is a chance to shoot an additional bearded bird if you purchase a “2nd turkey tag” for $20 dollars. For many, this change in the law that provides a great chance to shoot a turkey for the table and then hunt, if you desire, for a truly trophy class bird. For those looking to spend some time glassing fields and likely spots, it is quickly apparent that there are some really nice birds out there strutting around. If I had to give one word of advise, it would be “walk”. By putting some miles between you and the “road hunters” you will quickly find unpressured birds. We continue to be fortunate in this state, that much of our property continues to be largely unposted. For both the resident and non-resident hunter, please make sure to respect landowner property by continuing to be considerate and asking permission when and where possible.

Turkey season has only just begun, so if you don’t yet have your bird you soon will! Just remember to remain positive, get off the beaten path and bring PLENTY of bug dope! Good luck everyone!

8th Article Published!

The Maine Sportsman - New England's Largest Outdoor Publication – Will be publishing my 8th story in their May 2010 edition (Pg. 27-28). The article will be part of the magazines “special sections” and highlight hunting turkeys w/ bow and arrow. The individuals featured in the photo accompanying the article is none other than yours truly and that old salty hunter the Duck Man. For more information on the Maine Sportsman Magazine or to order a subscription click this link: http://mainesportsman.com. The article below is the originally submitted unedited version. Enjoy!
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Bow Hunter Tackles Tom Turkey
By Steve Vose

My boots strip dew from the tall grass leaving behind ghostly footprints that will disappear soon after the sun crests the horizon. Not a single breath of air circulates; the absolute stillness magnifies the sound of my heavily beating heart. The early spring morning darkness and thick fog hang heavy, concealing my approach. A crow screams out in the distance, making me distinctly aware the slumbering forest is awakening, my pace quickens. Suddenly, a gobble erupts from the tree line and my arms break out in goose bumps. Am I too late? Was I seen approaching? Is the hunt over before it had even begun? Hastily setting up my portable blind, I hope against hope that the hunting gods will be kind.

There is something distinctly awakening about an early spring turkey hunt. Maine’s forest seems greener, dew sweeter, sunlight warmer and smells more pungent. Perhaps it is the previous months of relative hunting inactivity or the return to the woods after a long cold winter, either way pursuing Old Tom sure has a way of stirring man’s primitive soul.

Hunting turkeys with bow and arrow is a sport designed to test the patience of man. Along with the time that must be devoted to practice and preseason scouting, hunters must also be prepared to spend hours in the field awaiting an ethical shot opportunity. Many dedicated archers will devote an entire season of effort and never get a turkey. For a majority of sportsmen, this challenge is what makes the sport exciting.

Preseason Scouting
Experienced archers turn these diminutive odds in their favor, by patterning birds before the season begins. Throughout the season, birds will continue the same basic day-to-day schedule even if disturbed by light hunting pressure. Monitor changes in behavior, be flexible and modify ambush plans as necessary to match the bird’s routines. Adaptability insures you are consistently where the birds want to be. Natural terrain features like rock walls, logging roads, pathways connecting fields and other funnels will help direct birds to within bow range.

Patience will allow you to eventually connect. Wait and your chance will come, if not this season, maybe next. With the availability to hunt turkeys in the spring and the fall, one missed seasonal opportunity need not mean you will have to wait another full year for a second chance.

Dress for Success
Hunting Maine turkeys in the spring brings significant challenges. Early May mornings typically hover around freezing, while afternoons can reach into the seventies. I remember several spring mornings waiting for old tom in a synthetic down jacket and felt lined winter boots only to be working the woodlot by the afternoon wearing a t-shirt. Drenching rains are also very common and create miserable conditions for hunters who are unprepared. To be comfortable, being warm and dry are the two primary concerns. Dress in layers, wear synthetic clothing (no cotton) and invest in a pair of high quality waterproof boots. Don’t be afraid to ensure they carry plenty of insulation, as nothing will end a hunt sooner than having cold wet feet. Worn with heavy wool over a light pair of synthetic socks, your feet will stay warm dry and comfortable. This combination can pull double duty, being used effectively during early deer season.

Blinds
A ground blind is an archer’s best friend. Offering a portable means of hiding from Old Tom’s sharp eyes, protection from Maine’s fickle spring weather, as well as biting insects they are worth the investment. To choose from the multitude of offerings, it pays to “try before you buy”. Sportsmen should sit in a variety of blinds and review them for space, weight, visible shooting lanes and available amenities (gear hooks, bow holders, lights). Other important considerations are blinds possessing a degree of water resistance. Some of the more budget conscious blinds are not waterproof. If you select one of these blinds, use silicon spray to coat both the inside and out to insure you stay dry. The final decision should be a balance of cost and function that makes the most sense to you.

Bow Hunting Lessons Learned
Decoys are both a benefit and a curse. Mature Toms can be extremely leery about approaching a decoy. If using decoys be sure to set them no further than 5 yards from your position. If a bird decides to investigate this gives you an excellent point blank opportunity. If a bird hangs on the outside perimeter you will still be provided with a 20-25 yard shot.

Turkeys adore the rain and some of my most productive days have occurred when it is pouring. Do not be afraid to go out in heavy precipitation, as birds will be out in force. Besides, watching turkeys shake like wet dogs is a comical show not to be missed.

A bow need not be set to high poundage for turkey hunting. A lighter weight will allow for a more controlled draw and a longer hold, a definite plus for spooky Toms. To make sure your arrow arrives at the correct destination, archers should study turkey impact shot charts so they clearly understand exactly where a critical shot must be placed.

Arrow quivers attached to your bow can be a liability as they change the balance of your outfit. They can also be difficult to manage in the close quarters of a hunting blind. If you plan to use your quiver while hunting make sure to have it attached during your practice sessions. I take mine off the bow once I arrive at the blind, so that it doesn’t interfere with shooting.

Plastic bow components do not have the ability to hold up to the wear and tear encountered during a season of hunting. Either buy a bow with quality metal components or immediately replace the parts you have. Nothing is more frustrating and confidence draining, than having to constantly re-set your bow.

Blind Set-up
Practice shooting from the blind at your home archery range simulating real scenarios you will encounter while in the field. Use your gear in the tent, with the clothing you will be wearing, kneeling and from different angles. The more comfortable you are in the blind the more prepared you will be to take a difficult shot when it occurs.

When possible, make sure blinds are set-up well ahead of time and camouflaged to blend with the natural surrounding vegetation. Before you begin to stake the blind into the ground, take time to consider the positioning. Set the blind up, sit inside and turn it to determine the correct placement and shot angles. As much as you would like to believe the turkeys will approach from a certain direction, it is more likely they will not. Having the windows lined up with multiple shooting lanes in as many directions as possible will increase your chances. Bring a pair of hand clippers and trim any small branches along shooting lanes that may cause an arrow to be deflected.

Long hours in the blind are made enjoyable by the multitudes of Mother Nature’s creatures. Dozens of different songbirds, deer, fox, hawks, porcupines, low flying geese and a variety of other species are on constant parade. To enjoy these sights to the fullest, it helps to carry a pair of binoculars to extend your vision outside of the limited confines of the blind. Additionally having a small notebook available to jot down when and where turkeys are moving will assist you in remembering their activities and then modifying future morning intercepts.

Maine in the spring is ripe with biting insects. To combat these pests, ground blinds equipped with shoot through mesh are invaluable. Hunters will also encounter and need to combat the deer tick. These nasty critters carry the serious and debilitating Lyme disease. To protect your person, rake away all leaf matter and debris from the inside of the blind footprint, dose with a liberal application of bug spray and be sure to tuck in clothing. After each hunt your clothing should be run through the washer and dryer to guarantee that no ticks fall off your clothing and find their way into your living quarters. Spouses frown on deer ticks crawling up their legs when they are cooking morning breakfast! Finally, sportsmen should conduct a “tick check”. This ritual consists of stripping to your birthday suit and dancing in front of a full-length mirror to insure no stowaways have jumped aboard.

Final Thoughts
Maine’s turkey population is increasing rapidly and this spring is the perfect time for you to get out and arrow one of these magnificent birds. For many sportsmen the most difficult part of any hunt is the waiting game. Turkey hunting can for some be a quick trip into the woods and at the same time for others it can be a season long event. Persistence will pay in the end for the dedicated archer. The trick is not to lose hope, don’t be disheartened and remember that your trophy bird could be just over the next hillside.

Spring Turkey Season Wall of Fame . . .

The following write-up was completed by a good friend of mine and a fellow turkey hunting fanatic. Enjoy!

It has been a long turkey season....

Day 1: Get up at 3AM. I got my dad his turkey on the first morning. We had 6 Jakes, 2 Toms and a Hen in front of us. I called the Jakes in and kept them at the decoys. The 2 toms came in about 20 minutes later and
started to chase the jakes around. When they cleared the jakes, my dad picked out the bigger of the 2 toms and let him have it from 40 yards away. The bird never flinched. I passed on the smaller tom...only had a 4 inch beard and seemed smaller than the one my dad shot. Dads bird: He was 18 Lbs and had a 7 inch beard. We then drove to an abandoned apple orchard where we heard a bird gobbling from the road... Snuck in and setup... called to him but he wasnt having any of it....stayed out of site and moved past us up into the woods. We checked a few more spots and called it a morning....

Day 2: Rise and shine...3AM Went and setup in the apple orchard. Nothing.....checked a few more spots and saw some birds but no luck. Went to the spot where I shot my bird last year. There was a gobbler in the
field with a hen. Went and setup but he was long gone with the hen by the time we got settled.

Leonard with his first Turkey ever! From the smile on his face I would say he is hooked!

Day 3: Man am I tired...3AM again. Went back to where my dad got his bird on Day 1 and had birds everywhere. There was a hot hen and several toms and jakes all tree'd up. I was calling with the hen....sort of competing with her....and got a small jake to come to the decoy....I had my mind made up that I would take anything with a beard. He was only a small jake with little to no beard so I passed. Left that location and went back to the apple orchard. Heard the gobbler again and this time got setup in the orchard. As soon as we got setup, one bird had snuck in behind us and was gobbling from 30 yards behind us in the woods. He saw us or something and immediately fled the scene. The other gobbler we heard from the road was making his way through the field toward the orchard. We were behind a rock wall and there was a short pine tree obscuring the view into the orchard....bad setup. I called that bird from 400 yards away and he came into the orchard and setup on the other side of that darn pine tree....for an hour and a half I called to him and he gobbled and gobbled and gobbled....less than 20 feet away. he simply would not come out into the open. Finally, it took a stick and started scratching in the leaves like a feeding turkey. It worked..... I was calling and my gun was in my lap. I look up and he had made his way past the pine tree and all I see is a beard and legs....I reach for the gun but its too late....busted. I quickly raise the gun and slid the bead on his side and squeezed the trigger. He clucks and turns to run as I fire and the shot runs right up the side of him. Complete miss at less than 10 feet. Not a single feather touched. CRAAAPP!!!!!! Good size bird...11 inch (or so) beard.

Day 4: Hard Rain. Deep sleep. No hunting

Day 5: 3:30 AM: Rain let up. Hunted alone in Brunswick. Devin and I had driven around the night before and found 4 Toms of good size and watched them go to bed. I setup the next morning....near 6 other hunters....and had the birds across a creek less than 200 hundred yards from me. They did not want to move. So I tried a stalk....to no avail. I got within 40 yards but just could not see the birds. I started to drive home and decided to run by some fields out past the house. As I drove by my neighborhood, a HUGE tom was standing by the side of the road next to someones mailbox. I drove by him and he crossed the road. I turned around and drove down into my neighborhood and go setup in the woods below where he went in. Called to him for about an hour and called it a day.

Duck man with his first ever Turkey. A double shot from Duck man's 12 and my 10 brought these two down on the opening day at the same exact time!

Day 6: Monday. Dad decided not to go and I had decided that given my work load this would be my last day. The day felt good...was confident that
Today would be the day. Had leads on 3 birds and had seen birds every day. Got up late and made my way to a spot that always seems to hold a tom at roost. Made a single hen sound from the road and he sounded off in the tree just off the main road. I went to a field below and setup. He flew down at about 5:30 AM and was very hesitant to come in. I called to him for about a half hour but he moved off and down towards the river. I picked up and left. I arrived at the corn field where I shot last years bird in time to see a hen and small tom fly down from their tree. They moved towards the only spot where I could enter the field so I decided to move on. Maybe a good spot for tomorrow if I decide to hunt. I drove to the former town landfill....same spot where I missed that huge bird last year. It is only 6:30 yet I resign myself to this being my last chance today. I walked up the old road and got to the top. Used the box call to see if anything was around and heard a jake respond back. I got setup in the field below the road. Made one call with the box call and put my mouth call in. Just as I did that I looked up to see 2 white heads running down the road at me..... One of the toms came into the field towards the decoy and I immediately id'd him as a young bird with only a 4-5 inch beard. The bigger bird stayed on the road and was flared out and posturing. His head was brilliant white and I could see he was a bigger bird than the one less than 15 feet from me near the decoy. The young bird turned towards the decoy and puffed up and gave the decoy a peck...I knew the gig was up. I took the opportunity of him looking away to move my gun and sight in on the bigger bird now 40 yards away. As soon as he was lined up...I shot the bird on the road. I immediately jumped up as I was unsure if I had hit the bird hard. 2 birds immediately took off and I thought I had missed him. I was about to shoot the second bird in the air when I heard the wing flaps my bird back on the road. Turns out there were 3 Toms coming to me...I only ever saw 2. YAHOOOOOOOOOO! 10 inch beard, 19lbs 4oz. Season over!!!!

Another successful season....4 for 4!!! All excellent birds!