This was my mission for this Spring Turkey Season to get my son on his first bird . This weekend involved lot's of miles of driving . Fri afternoon got to the WMA and roosted a nice Gobbler . But I was limited in time to hunt Sat cause I had to come home for a funeral at noon . I wasn't about to miss opening morning . A buddy of mine met me there and we setup on the gobbler but he pitched down into private land and never looked back . I went home with my tail tucked in , but atleast it got me fired up when he gobbled 3 times . Got back , changed attire , funeral , had lunch with wife and kids and left back to the woods with Christopher . We got to our spot and went in with 45 minutes left of daylight . On the way I heard a gobble bout 200 yards out , then 3 more . I knew where he was going so we circled him . We got 150 yards from where I though he would be and yeap ,there he was . Big longbeard hanging down . It was a long night that's all can say . We setup on him 80 yards from him . I could see him through the branches . Sunwas coming up and hawks and crows calling . First gobble from him sparked 4 other birds in the area . Christopher was getting excited and shaking . I made some soft purrs and clucks , and that bird gobbled at everything I threw at him . The only thing I overlooked was a old trail in between the pines . I kinda knew he would flydown and maybe go down that trail . He flew down and landed 65 yards from the hen decoy . Then right from above us , 2 other birds flew behind us . He strutted and gobbled several times but then we he heard all the gobbling and yelping from the other group he packed it up and headed that way . I told Chris to be patient that there's other birds close by . 20 minutes went by which seemed 2 hours . I could hear something 40 yards behind but I had no view behind . Few minutes went by and I heard a light cluck to my left . I just slightly turn my head and strained my eyes to see 2 Superjakes standing 12-15 feet next to us . I quietly whispered we got turkeys on our left . He couldn't see em so I turned his head and I could see his eyes get big . I said relax we need to get the gun ( my 12 ga Stoeger with light #7 loads , my wife couldn't open the safe to get his 20 ga out ) into position . Turkeys got within 5 feet from decoy on the other side of fence . I positioned the gun and asked if he was on em . He said his head is down , I clucked twice and when he lifted up his head ,I said choot em . Boom and I see the bird run and 10 feet later drops , flapping around . I jumped up and got ready just incase but no second shot needed . I have to say this has been the best hunt in my years in the woods . He had a smile you could see with a facemask on . Big ol Jake , 13.4 lbs , monter 3-1/2" Beard . We got hunt on video , will post later when I edit . Thank you Lord 



Good Stuff!! As always, a good set of pictures and an intresting account of your hunt. This is one you and your boy won't forget. Treefarmer
Great story. Congrats to both of you.
Great story and adventure. Congrats to you and your son!
Congrats to both of you! Awesome pics. I can tell you're proud. You cracked a smile!!! :tung
