Our Story

- Written by Daddy with every word approved by Sally, my 5 ½ year old:

It was a cold morning on the 24th of March (2001), when Sally went turkey hunting with her Daddy for the first time this year. Sally, her Daddy and her Granddaddy John left their house at 4:15 a.m. After setting up on a field in Dorchester County before daybreak, Sally and her Daddy listened to the woods come alive. Sally was dressed in her camouflage but because it was so cold she was also dressed in a pair of her Dad’s camo warm-up pants, tied off around her neck. She looked great with her head net and hat to match. Lots of birds and squirrels were heard but no turkeys on the first field.

About 7:45 a.m. we got up to go for a walk. When we got to the edge of the second field we saw a turkey way out in the distance. We eased into the woods and tried to call the turkey to us, but he didn’t come. We moved to another spot and tried again. The turkey still didn’t come. As a last resort (and because 5 ½ years olds are not made for the waiting game), Daddy tried a gobble call (hoping the bird was a dominant one). The turkey walked off at an angle and it appeared that he was leaving the field. Sally agreed that we should follow after the turkey.

We crossed the big field being careful not to frighten the bird out of the back corner if he was still there. When Daddy saw the bird we eased into the woods. As we carefully moved to find a spot to call from, a briar snagged my foot and ripped up on my pants. I whimpered, whined and cried softly as Daddy begged me to "PLEASE BE QUIET ! ! !”

Once I settled down, Daddy called and I heard my first turkey gobble. Every time my Daddy called the turkey gobbled. This went on for a while and then we started scratching in the leaves. Every time the turkey gobbled and we knew he couldn’t see us we scratched in the leaves. This leaf-rustling trick worked and after about 10 gobbles the turkey came to us. He gobbled on his own right in front of us at about 15 yards and I jumped.

Then . . . BOOM ! ! !

At 9:20 a.m. Sally and her Daddy got their turkey. (Together)

Later Sally was heard telling Granddaddy that her Daddy had help too.

I fixed a Turkey Fan for Sally’s room, and she read this story and showed her picture at Pre-School “Show and Tell.” It was not my biggest bird of the year but it was my most memorable hunt to date.