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He got a headache at 5:45. Awesome hunt!!!

Had a quick, textbook hunt this morning. Saw this guy strutting out in the field last night with 3 hens. Set up a blind and dekes in the field this morning. He started gobbling at 5:15. I didn't call to him until he hit the ground. My calls got a hen fired up and he went crazy. Within a few minutes a hen came down and headed for the decoys. He came out running in 3/4 strut. I could see his stubby beard but he had a full fan and definately wasn't a jake so I clucked on the mouth call to stop him...he stopped and looked around and I leveled him. Game over at 5:45!!! Got screwed in the beard department. My last gobbler had 5 beards so I can't complain too much. Fourth kill of the season with the Halloran Metal Mouth...love this call!!!

Last year my neighbor gave me a bottle ,it was actually a jar to be more specific

When the ice melted, I set up a camera by the pond.

What does he bring you? A cute little bagged up bottle of Crown Royal would have me just BEAMING. OK if you don't imbibe, don't sweat it. If you do, opine.

Oh EAB = Earn a Buck. I thought it was Emerald Ash Borer.

Wouldn't matter, she brought the "C" cups.

He's on the ground...got a hen fired up...he's fired up going crazy!!! Lets get it done!!

Well howdy neighbor..... I'll grab the Dixie cups, a blanket, and a box of wine!

Mink and Merg Nice Mallard shot

He was Bs ing you Larry.... The real secret is to rub the box call with virgin oil... Problem #1 is where to find a virgin... Problem #2 is how to render some of that oil without getting arrested...

I've made some wingbones. With an almost 5-year old and now a 5-month old I haven't had the time to make any recently but will again at some point.

Killed this one this morning. He fell in love with my aluminum pot. Gobbled a bunch on his way in. I did not have to do much convincing. A few clucks purs and leaf scratches. He was hooked.

friday and saturday hunts were fun ( well except for the rain saturday) but was in birds both days letting a few 2 year olds walk. no hunting here on sunday so I got more scouting time in first thing in the morning and again late morning and evening. in between all the scouting I worked on digging out the dirt bank along mom and dads house so we could build the barn stone retaining wall as a preparation step for me to form up and pour her cement patio. monday morning I was walking away from the truck at 3:30 am under clear starlit and moon light skies, Finally I was going to get on the ridge above a neighbors barn, I had seen a longbeard up there almost every time I scouted his farm but could never put spurs on him even with the spotting scope. it had rained sunday night till about 10 pm so I figured the fresh planted fields would be hit hard. With the hay being about mid thigh height it didn't take long to be soaked. I had listened to this bird a number of days and knew where he liked roosting. with the bright moon light and 0 wind the last 300 yards was tricky I tried staying under the overhanging limbs of the fencerow trees and moved at a snails pace as I knew that I was in plain sight of the gobbler and his hens, even at 4am it was bright enough I could of seen a turkey on the ground easily at 100 yards. I had already picked out a likely set up tree through the spotting scope but just needed to verify it once I got to the massive old oak tree. It seemed to take forever for the first crow to start up, heard 5 different gobblers anywhere from 300 yards to a mile away, filed all the locations away in the memory bank. by now the temps had taken a big jump and the fog was really building. Finally a hen starts up and he gobbles at her directly across the field from me, but sounded like he was back off the field 50 yards or so. I did a loud flydown with the wing breaking some branches before thumping the ground he bought it hook line and sinker when he double gobbled at me.... he sounded good, I hit him with some soft yelps and clucks and barely got the bomber back in the vest pocket and my hands on the gun when I see him sailing in like a b-52 and he touched down 15 yards from me! I dont think he had 2 toes on the ground before he was in full strut. didn't take me long to see that he was going to get a pass... another lovesick 2 year old. the hens finally flew out to the field and he went strutting down the edge to the vocal hen. once he went over the rise I was on my feet and motoring to one of the other birds that had a decent sounding gobble. we played cat and mouse for a bit but he was with a hen and was not gonna leave her. I backed out and started trolling the edge of an old strip mine when I get blasted by a gobble, I hit the pine tree next to me just as the first bird came into view.....the leader of the rat pack.... 6 jakes. let them all walk away and back on my feet again. did some more trolling and working back to the truck I was up on the high ridge above where I parked and a buddy from ny had sent me a text saying he was headed down wed. night. and wanting to know how it was going. was typing the text when a bird hammers way out in the neighbors field. I eased my way that direction clucking and yelping as I walked the logging road and he was hitting every call. I get set up when I felt I was close enough and he gobbled steady along the edge of the field making his way to the logging road turned right and walked right to me where I had set up in the old log landing area. He too was sporting sub inch spurs so I let him walk away, I get another text from my buddy and text back another 2 yo gotta find a good bird. back at the truck and it was 9:45 I knew where I was going! I get to the farm and sure enough the silage thief is off his little island. there is only 1 little spot to see him from and its almost a mile walk down the creek bed to get to the little strip of trees which run along a near vertical bank of nearly 100 foot rise up to the grain fields. I parked the truck as the farmer was going by he stopped, we chatted for a bit and when I said where I was going and I was after the grain thief he said his brother was there that morning and never heard a gobble. I said if I can get him to gobble after 11 he may get a ride in the truck. he told me I better get moving since he knows my route, and told me he would stay out of there till my truck leaves. I jokingly said I will be back by noon..... down the creek I go get into the finger of trees and work my way along the bottom till I can just barely make out the upper inside corner of the upper field. I unload the gun and literally on hands and knees start scaling the hillside using small trees to pull myself up and using them as basically steps all the way to the top. I get to the old sheep fence the farmer has along the hill to keep the cattle out of danger with the hill and I ease over the fence and set down against a big black walnut tree, I am drenched with sweat its now 11:25. I get all situated slip the bomber out of my vest and do my cluck and yelp series and he cuts me off, thats 1, wait a few minutes yelp into clucks and he cuts me off again thats 2, I wait 5 minutes call again he hits me again a lot closer, thats 3. I wait another 5 minutes call again...nothing time to put the call away and get ready. seems like an eternity before I hear him do his where are you cluck about 30 yards in front of me and then I see the grass waving back and forth coming at me. twice he stretched way up but could not verify it was him. he has slowly weaved through the grass and is now at 20 yards, he periscopes up, still cant verify its the thief, his head looks big enough to be him but I want to make certain its him, I know chances are it is because he has never allowed another gobbler to be with him even through the winter he was alone. Finally he drops into about 3/4 strut with his fan up and its confirmed! no mistaking that tail! I ease the safe off even though I can only see his fan above the grass, finally he periscopes up again and I ease off the safety, crosshairs right on the tip of his beak,,,,,,,,, literally blew him backwards with the shot. I get up walk up to him and fully confirm its the silage thief. we have had some fun hunts the last few years, passed him at 2 & 3 years old, didn't get a chance to hunt him last year but kept tabs on him and then I turned up the heat on him this year and finally it all came together yesterday. filled out my tag, took some pics at 11:45. over the shoulder he went and out around his island and down the tractor path walking past the silage bags. I get down to the road and as I am walking back to the truck I hear the farmer coming up the road on the tractor, he stops and says I don't even have to ask if thats him I see the skinny tail its him,,, well he aughta be good eatin that sumbit did nothing but tear holes in my silage bags so he had easy eats... and by the way you said you would be gone by noon you have 2 minutes to get to your truck as he laughed and drove away. lightweight at 15 lbs. beard 10 1/2" spurs 1 3/8" only 11 tail feathers, his wings were so beat up from fighting I don't even know how he flew up to roost, not worn from strutting, broke off or completely missing wing feathers. he musta been a southpaw cause the left wing was really bad, if he could fly and distance it was probably in a circle.

If you can pull that off I'll have a bottle ,of anything you want, standing by!!!! I'll even throw in a couple frozen pizzas!!!!! The rising crust kind of course…..

I'm heading out in a few minutes to weed whack my .20 acre lot...............Wife and son cut the lawn last night so it's the least I can do. LEAST favorite, I can't say............one thing I'll say is that I have NO favorite summer jobs.

Are you going to invite me up for a few sippies, Joe ? I'll bring a couple dozen oysters on ice and you bring a couple of hot blondes...or brunettes...or redheads...

I rode alot of 3 wheelers when I was young. Everything from a Big Red to a 350X to my Kawi Tecate, they were all fun. They handled great if you knew how to ride them. That looks like a decent Big Red for $600.

I know a guy who makes a good one.

Mustache: check. Creepy windowless van: check. Wife beater: check.

I lied, I feel like I have to kill that gobbler on behalf of WNY. Every day I see him strutting I want him dead more. lol

I knew I had a picture somewhere.......this would have been about 1987 IIRC. It isn't much of a shot of the 'wheeler but you can see it. As far as the pickerel and pistol, the statue of limitations HAS to have come and gone. Don't even ask............

Hang in there turkeyfeathers. Good things come to those who wait.

WNY- smash that ole bird ! Guess I know which way wind blowing as deer directly behind me blowing. Deer during turkey season and turkey during deer season. Blah blah blah. Every year

This looks like a proper time for me to simply sit silent and let the idiot continue to embarrass himself. And he is doing a fine job.

He's gobbling now. Bring it on big boy!

Working the bugs out now, brakes fixed, and adjusting carb.. hill climb test today..

Finally broke your last Jets glass?

Not bad, but not what I expected. A buddy gave to me to try. I tried it.

I stuff mine with toilet paper...That way if I ever get caught short....... Actually there is a cool story behind my Lynch Foolproof box. Back in the late 70's I went into a sporting goods store in Corning to buy a box call. They had maybe a dozen Lynch Foolproofs on the shelf, for $17 each... Doug Henyan, the store owner, let me open the boxes ( that was BEFORE blister pacs) and try each call to see which one I liked the sound of best. I killed a lot of birds with that call.It was my go-to box call until I had a custom box made by Bob Harwell in SC, who was a student of the late Neil Cost. The Foolproof still rides in my vest, but the Harwell call usually does the talking these days.

Rob , We used to do a lot of froggin as kids. Pellet pistols or golf ball retrievers with fishing line , a hook and piece of red yarn. Not sure when season opens but I may have to look into it and do it again.

Captain Morgan!!

Salmon on the grill, baby reds and asparagus. Slummin'................. (Oh, and beer)

That hunt was probably the best I have had as far seeing things that turkeys do. The only thing it was missing was dead birds at the end. They were all right back there this morning by the way. Can't wait till next year!

Couldnt get out to hunt, had my 2 year old daughter. but at 1130am we went for a little walk to pull some cards out of the cameras.. sure enough in the middle of the tractor path on our walk, a big ol longbeard steps out and walks right to us! no joke, we are in street clothes and he doesnt have a care in the world that we are even there... After a few moments, he casually walks into the woods about 20 yards in front of us, does a 90, and walks parallel to the path, and passes us at 10-15 yards away!! i couldnt believe it, we were in the wide open .. lol he was just watching us as he poked on through.. i could not believe it, that stuff never happens while wearing camouflage and purposely hunting! oh well lol.. it was cool to witness, especially having my little girl with me, on our way to ride the tractor and till some plots for the beans..

Police Tracking Bloodhound's expression when he got a sniff of those drawers!!

More photos from the pond. Aggression is increasing. Single males are showing up - woodies & mallards. Note the time on the night shot. Don't ducks sleep, even with half their brain at a time?

Just got this text. Can't tell buck or doe. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just saw the coolest thing on way home. I'd almost call it a white hen but probably better described as light light tan. Her and long beard walking in tilled field. Tried to get pic thru binocs but that didn't pan out. Crazy coloring on her and noticed her first Wild !

Birds are still gobbling in New Jersey some of the Jakes even gang gobbling. The very first quiet day I heard in New York was Saturday but wound up seeing three gobblers 1 hen so the birds were there. Know how tough it's been on some. Time is almost up hope it changes for you all

This is what I referred to as ghost deer earlier

Home made hard cider...

Kudos to the NRA for their early endorsement of Donald Trump for President. Join the NRA and show your support of gun owner's rights and the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Here is a picture of the Honda he bought Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

All the blabber-mouths have already got themselves killed. Just the smart ones that know when to keep their mouths shut are left out there now! There's no doubt in my mind that the birds on the properties I hunt know my (and I'm sure other hunters) calling habits better than we think. Some days I notice my calling sounds like a broken record out there..., day in and day out. Same with the other guys I hear. I know I wouldn't fall for it any more either if I was a horny gobbler! Keep trying to locate an isolated/unpressured bird and he just might pop if you hit him at the right time and right spot.

Got out with Haley this past weekend. Not much action to speak of. Next weekend we are heading East to hunt with a friend out near Schenectady.

You beat me to it Doc. You are so right. Not joining the NRA because of a single issue, that is a lot more complicated than a purist is willing to admit, is helping the antis take away ALL gun rights. Because of one issue, some people are willing to jeopardize the entire program. I don't support a lot of what the American government does either, but I still pay my taxes.