Still some magic in that coin!

[James7xChamp3]

My Dad couldn’t hunt the first part of the month because of a slipped disc in his back. He
has been going to therapy and the other night he thought he was up to trying his luck for a
turkey. I had an appointment at 11:00 so I told him I could take the day off and we could
give it a try in the morning. I’d like to try the Encore...... “I really like that scope” he said.

We had to go somewhere easy so he wouldn’t have to walk far which really narrowed the
choices down. Dawn found us not to far from where my nephew and I got his bird. It has
been raining every day for almost a week but today it was supposed to break a bit but
wasn’t to be.... at least for the first part of the day. It was drizzling and breezy as we nestled
into a few pines.

The songbirds were singing, the crows were hollering but the turkeys weren’t talking.
Maybe because they weren’t here? Maybe they were just quiet? Who knows! I told my
Dad I would call just a little bit every 20 minutes and we would just have to be very alert
in case any were “sneaking” around. At 9:00 the hunt would end. We talked a bit about a
few things and just enjoyed the sights, the drizzle becoming a light mist as I yelped just a
bit about every 20 minutes.

“There they are” Dad said. “Just to my right”. It wa 8:15. I couldn’t see them at first, but then they
just appeared. A couple blue and red heads were coming up over the knoll about 60 yards
away.........headed right toward us. They were moving rather quickly too, periscoping and
searching every nook and cranny. At 40 yards, the Encore was shouldered, trying to pick
out the one with the longest beard I was told later. A couple of Jakes it looked like, but
they seemed like decent size birds.

They were going to cross in front about 35 yards. As my Dad was trying to pick a spot,
one of them caught movement and heads were bobbing and feet were moving.....rather
quickly! As I was thinking the game might be over, the Encore spoke........with authority!
One bird went down and the other flew straight up through forest into a tall bull pine. He
left that pine very quickly as we walked over to my Dad’s bird.

“We did it “ my Dad said. “I just can’t believe it “! “First there was nothing and then there
they were”! “Had to shoot quick.....think they saw me move”. After a hug, admiring the bird a bit and thanking the good Lord above I got the camera out and we posed for a few pictures. My Dad just being
able to get out was all the success we needed. Especially him.......he is always on the go
and hates to be laid up. The sun wasn’t shining, but the Turkey Gods sure were! What a
blessed season it has been!

As we walked back towards the truck, I couldn’t help but reach in my pocket one last
time. As I squeezed the coin, I remembered what my honey had told me the night before. “I’m
sure there’s some magic left in the coin for your Dad”. I guess she was right! Thanks
again honey!

My Dad’s bird was 16.25 lb. with a 5.25” beard.

[VermontHunter]

Man I must be one big sissy at this moment as I was reading that my eye's started to swell with tears of joy,,,,The biggest CONGRATS there is out there to be had for you and your best buddy (DAD).....
That right there is what makes life worth living for.....Hope there are many,many more days like that in the future for you and your family....

CONGRATS....to you and your dad..

[hutchies]

Congrats and I am sure that will be a special hunt to both of you.

[Shaun_300]

congrats to you and your dad, that must have been an awesome hunt!

[slaw]

the size of that bird doesn't even begin to to reflect on the magnitude of that hunt. you'll cherish that one for life. hope there are many more to come.

[RDNKHNTR77]

congrats to u and your father. my dad has not been able to move much since his back surgery and didnt even get a chance to go out this spring. hopefully **** be able to get out for deer season. by the way james, did ne one ever tell u that u look like bill murray lol

[redbeard]

Man, James, you are livin' right. Congrats to you and your Dad. That's awesome. Great story. Keep doing what your're doing and the turkey gods will keep on shining. Treasured memories with Fathers are worth the world. Wish I coulda been there.....

[turkeygirl]

That is awesome! Congrats to your father!

[buckee]

Beautiful bird, beautiful story, and I'm choked up too

Congratulations to you and your Dad.

[MadHuntinPastor]

[ QUOTE ]
Man I must be one big sissy at this moment as I was reading that my eye's started to swell with tears of joy,,,,


[/ QUOTE ]

You are a big sissy LOL!

Seriously though great story and I'm glad it worked out for you. That will always be a special memory.