California Dreaming

[ronin]

Team 27, Long Beards’ Ghost Team Member

I've been hunting just about every day since the season opened and I've called in quite a few birds. I was willing to wait until the archery season if I had to. Something about today changed things a little.

I was perched on a little knoll under the shade of a live oak on an absolutely perfect day. 80 degrees and wind free. I had a 280 degree view of my surroundings. I haven't hunted this ranch in two years so I felt good.

I set my deeks out at 20 yards and blasted out a cut and putt rhythm for a couple of seconds and before I could finish, I had a double gobble at about 300 yards to my south. I shut up and within a few minutes I had a pair of jakes circling my decoys like rabid wolves. They were afraid to come in because a Tom was gobblin’ just to the south west and he sounded impatient.

I ignored the jakes and let out a short call to the newcomer and he didn’t even let me finish before he yelled back at me. He also seemed to put the jakes on notice that they should keep their distance. The jakes pulled back to about 60 yards and hammered away while simultaneously eyeing the hillside for an escape route.

Just as the jakes repositioned, out pops Tom at the top of a very steep hill. He was about 250 yards away and struttin’ for all he was worth. Hammer then strut. Hammer then strut. The jakes beat feet. I called back to him quietly and he kicked it up a notch but he did not move. However, two more Toms from two other locations started to gobble and move in. My bird on the hill obviously didn’t like the sound of things so he moved slowly down the hill. From tree to tree and as slow as pond water. It took him ½ an hour to close the distance. He would only speed up if he sensed the other Toms were closing the gap faster.

Now my heart is hammering with every gobble that seemed to be coming from everywhere. I had two jakes behind me and three Toms to the front. Finally, the Tom from the hill makes it to the last tree about 50 yards out. The only problem is he’s getting nervous. He gets to within 35 yards and puts on a brief strut and pops a double beard out at me like a kid sticking out his tongue. He looks pretty big and the beard(s) got me interested. I figured he was an older bird.

I completely forgot about the other two Toms moving in and took a shot. I aimed right below the base of Tom Hill’s head and whacked him….or so I thought. I saw the impact throw his head back and I watched some blood spray, however, my gobbler wasn’t finished. He took wing and was up off the ground trying to fly away. I hit him again and he hit the dirt…running!!!! He ran for the big oak he had just come from and crouched behind it.

I slammed another round in the chamber and watched him. He wasn’t moving so I slowly walked towards him using the tree as cover. When I got within about 5 yards I saw that he was on his feet and trying to look in my direction. He couldn’t see because I had blinded him with my first shot. He was bleeding profusely from the head and neck but he was still very much alive. His left wing was broken from my second shot but he was still in the game. He sensed my presence and took off running with his head straight up. I waited until he was at about 15 yards and hit in the head again. That was the end.

What an incredible few minutes! I walked up to my bird and thanked him for the challenge and for the bounty he would provide my family. I apologized for not being able to end it quickly and clean. I sat down next to him and had to take a very deep breath. It is days like today that make me very thankful to be alive, an American, and have the opportunities that I have. More importantly, it is days like today that makes a man really realize that the Almighty does truly walk with us each and every day. We simply have to open our eyes and look around the woods to know.

I’ve posted the pics on the contest thread if anyone is interested.

[redbeard]

Good story Ronin'. These birds we chase surely are tough ole birds, ain't they? Congratulations

[huntn4bucks]

[ QUOTE ]
What an incredible few minutes! I walked up to my bird and thanked him for the challenge and for the bounty he would provide my family. I apologized for not being able to end it quickly and clean. I sat down next to him and had to take a very deep breath. It is days like today that make me very thankful to be alive, an American, and have the opportunities that I have. More importantly, it is days like today that makes a man really realize that the Almighty does truly walk with us each and every day. We simply have to open our eyes and look around the woods to know.


[/ QUOTE ]

I totally agree! Great story and congratulations!!!

[ronin]

Thanks everyone. I'm taking a buddy out this morning for his bird. Hopefully I'll be postin another picture soon!

[Gus]

Good story, congrats on the tom

[JoshM]

good story and congrats

[Rhino]

Great story ronin and congrats on the double beard.