I was hunting on a WMA. I was slippin' and owlin' as it was starting to get light. I got no response, so I set up in a nice area. When the songbirds kicked in, I started tree talking. I did some soft purrs and clucks, and then a few soft yelps. Immediately a gobbler sounded off from only 50 yards away. It was 06:50. In the next 5 minutes he shock gobbled three times to trucks going by on the highway. Then he went quiet for another 7 or 8 minutes. I let out a few more soft yelps to see if he was still on the roost. He gobbled back twice from the roost. He knew the ladies were nearby, so I stopped calling.

In a few minutes, I saw a bird pitch down onto the trail. I got ready, but when he stepped out it was a jake. Disappointed, I thought to myself, "That was some pretty impressive gobbling for a jake." I was right, because 15 feet behind him I saw a white head bobbing down the trail. He passed behind a clump of trees, and I raised my gun. He was in full strut and danced for the ladies. Then he dropped out of strut and started eyeballing me. Ruh-roh!!! He quickly stepped behind the clump of trees again, so I adjusted my aim. He peered around the trees to check me out, but it was too late. The bead was on his head!!

BOOM!!! He dropped in his tracks at 8 yards!! The time was 07:10!! He is my best bird yet. 19 pounds, 11 inch beard, 1-1/2 inch spurs!!