Tale of the Hunt

I was visiting a friend that just moved to Nebraska, and decided to try turkey hunting. Never having turkey hunted before, I bought every instructional tape, DVD, and CD made just to find out that none of them talked about hunting fall turkey. Still optimistic, I headed out the next afternoon to one of the state parks.

I found a comfortable spot under a big oak a couple yards back from a harvested field. I pulled out a slate call and gave a series of "Inexperienced turkey hunter Yelps"(they were bad). I heard a hen a couple hundred yards back in the woods, so I got up and moved just in time to see the flock roosting for the night. I tried sneaking back to the car, but was stunned when a turkey flushed a few feet above my head. I decided to wait for dark, and then stumbled my way out of the forest.

The next morning at 03:45, I tried to navigate my way back to the roosting site. Sunrise came and no yelps, clucks, purrs, etc. were heard. I stood up, lit a cigarette, and started exploring once again. After a few steps, my attention was drawn to movement right in front of me. Motionless, except for the smoke coming from my mouth, I watched an 8 point buck walk right for me. He could not have been more than 10 yards away before he noticed me and ran off. I kept walking and shortly realized that where I had set up that morning, had been no where near the roost site from the night before.

I sat down confused and somewhat frustrated with myself for getting lost, and tried to get my bearings straight. My pitty party was soon interupted by what sounded like someone using my turkey call 50 yards in front of me. I pulled out a box call and responded with the same cadence and tone. Stampedeing like a heard of cattle, a flock of more than 20 turkeys appeared at the edge of the forest opening that I was sitting in. Looking around for the intruding Hen, they ventured closer and closer to me. Frozen and shaking with adrenaline, I watched the flock pass no more than 6 yards by my side. I finally snapped out of my daze and swung my 12 ga. Remington around just as the last bird was passing by me.

I don't remember pulling the trigger. I just remember sitting there in amazement, watching as the 16.4 lb turkey gave the final beats of her wings. I have never felt so proud and excited in my life. Everyday since then still feels like that same day when I shot my first turkey. You may be thinking, "It's just a Hen," but it was my first and now I'm hooked and can't wait til spring.