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As Told by Brett Kiser
Jay and I were sitting at the end of
an old fence row about 50 yards from a
roost site we had visited that morning.
About an hour before dark we heard the
birds yelping and cutting from across
a nearby stream. They would soon cross
back to our side and into the roost trees
for the night. The flock of 30 birds that
had earlier been just out of shooting
range included 7 large longbeards. I anticipated
that they were still with the group.
We heard a turkey flying across the creek
toward us. A hen landed about 40 yards
away. She approached through the brush
and stopped right in front of us. She
caught one of us shifting position and
the movement sparked a series of loud
alarm putts as she raced into the brush
and across the hillside. She knew something
was wrong and she continued that awful
racket for over ten minutes. We dared
not move or chance getting busted again.
The other turkeys were still across the
creek and holding tight. I eventually
eased out my Lynch old number 52 box and
gave the "all clear, Ya'll come on over,"
call. I pushed out a few satisfied and
happy hen "yelps" to the waiting birds.
To my surprise and amazement (which I
should have rightfully expected anyway)
the birds couldn't get across the water
fast enough! They flew in immediately
and were landing all around us like gifts
from above! Talk about some excitement!
I had my sights on a white headed gobbler
strutting into sight about 60 yards to
the left when a huge longbeard landed
50 yards in front of Jay. He quickly swung
his gun into place and pulled the trigger.
Maybe just a little out of excellent range,
the big bird jumped up and took off into
the air. Luckily for Jay, it flew toward
us. Jay's second shot blasted the Big
Gob out of the sky from straight overhead
but not to the finals. The bird hit the
ground wobbling and Jay turned him a flip
with his Undertaker extra-full 12-ga.
choke and Winchester Supremes. Needless
to say, the rest of those turkeys fled
the scene like rockets.
Jay had his bird on the ground and the
celebration began. I failed to mention
that it had been months since Jay had
taken a bird before that evening. The
monkey had finally been pulled off of
his back. I didn't bag a turkey that day,
but between friends we count this hunt
as an exciting success I will not forget.
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