By Dean Mundhenke

After seeing this bird at 50 yards on opening day, I didn't chance a shot and didn't spook up the woods chasing him as he had hens. The next morning he and another bird got in a gobblin' duel for the hens roosted between them, in the same oak holler. They were gobbling one after another for nearly 30 minutes on the limb. I was perfectly in between one and the hens.

With hens cackling as they flew down, I added my own and he responded with a gobble from the ground. Quickly, I sat up against a small tree and as I readied I saw him coming on a fast run down the hill. I dropped him at 33 steps. This was an awesome, classical morning hunt for a fine bird.

It's pays to be patient and not risk wounding a bird too far away.