Tragic close to a season

**MadHuntinPastor** · 05-13-2006, 03:11 PM

This was gonna be my year to bag my first bird. I knew it. I had so many close chances. Two diff. birds had hens with them and didn't come closer than 70 yards. Got to watch them strut around.

This week on Thursday about killed me though. I blew it and it is on video. It will be great for our show, but I still feel awful about it.

We happened upon a gobble when approaching a field. Called and got nothing back. After waiting in silence got another gobble. We waited and got nothing. So we snuck through the woods to peak into the field. 6-7 birds were out pretty far feeding and working away from us. I called and boom a big ole fan puffs up. We watch them for awhile and notice two more fans as they walk away. We were trying to figure out were they would go next when a truck pulled onto the farm road and we watched the birds spook to the left. We decided to run through the woods to cut them off at the corner of the field and the river. Climbing through mud and getting stuck up to our knees we finally made it to the field. Sitting for over an hour soft calling we thought they may have gone across the river. We stood up to glass the field when all of a sudden I see a hen coming. We quickly sit down and then the show started. 5 longbeards round the corner following this hen. One goes into strut for us. They were all mature birds and I should have waited for a nice close shot if one came in. Unfortunately I didn't range the distance and thought they were closer and took a way long shot and spooked them all away.

I feel sick about it!!! Season ended today and I have nothing. This is the close of my third season with no bird. Help me out yall. I need a little bit of encouragement

**woodsman2230** · 05-13-2006, 03:27 PM

It happens to everyone at least once....its always a little harder to judge distances when those big ol' fans are comin right for ya! LOL! Next season will be your season! Good Luck!

**okbowman** · 05-13-2006, 05:11 PM

Keep at it!! You'll never get one if you quit! It happens to everybody, what an encounter!

**mo_hunter** · 05-13-2006, 07:30 PM

Yup, tuff hunting this year. I got lucky and bagged my first bird the second day of the season. Hunted the whole second week without taking my second bird. However I had a great time that second week and learned alot had lots of action but never closed the deal still some great hunts. Had to work 3rd (last) week of the season

Some of my favorite hunts have ended without a turkey either missed shot or missed opportunities.

**MadHuntinPastor** · 05-13-2006, 10:41 PM

Thanks yall. I will have to eat crow and watch that footage over and over again all year long until I redeem myself. I do consider myself lucky to even have an encounter like that.

and mo_hunter......very true final point. Well taken and agreed with. This one will go in the memory bank forever.

**billkay** · 05-14-2006, 08:55 AM

Man, that's not tragic. That's turkey hunting, and what brings you back day after day and season after season. You'll get one, no doubt. Just enjoy the time in the field.