OMG! ... I got him!
I had business out in the county - so I drove wide and checked out the spot
where I saw the tom yesterday evening. Nothing. I really wanted to get a bird
this morning - since, if not, I would be stuck with going out tomorrow - the
last Saturday of the season, and do some REAL hunting - meaning getting up
before 3:00 AM - something I did not want to do (the getting-up-before-3
part). I drove past [deleted]'s and then past where I saw the gigantic
tom and got permission yesterday. Nothin'. I went on up the road, out past
my other friend [deleted]'s property ... and
thought about heading out - or turn around. One thing I am learning is
that wild animals, gobblers included, are not static. Indeed if one minute
they are by the road and the next minute not, then in the same way if they are
not by the road on one drive-by -- they may indeed be by the road a few minutes later. So I decided to loop back. THERE HE WAS! I slowed down to where I could
park and watched him as he watched me. I could tell he didn't like what he saw -
he turned around and started walking the other way and away. I grabbed SG, loaded up,
and headed through the small patch of woods and brush between us. Range - probably
about 60 yards. I closed some distance to about 50 and he entered some brush.
I could make out his form - but just seemed a bit iffy to take a shot at that range, with # 5s,
especially if partially shielded by some twigs, etc. (I am shooting modified
choke.) But the brush patch was fairly isolated, so I figured I had him.
I skipped through the deep grass across the small creek and up onto a stump. Now everything was in
front of me at 30 yards - very lethal zone. All he had to do was move - so I
could see him - and it would be over.
I waited.
And waited.
And waited some more.
Huhhh.
Could he have slipped away?
I waited some more.
How could a bird that large slip away unnoticed?
I waited some more.
I called his name (Tom)
... and got ready.
Still nothing.
I milled about.
Nothing.
I approached the brush patch.
Nothing.
Ughhhh.
I found where he, and perhaps others, had bedded in the grass. How many
times had he watched me drive by?
...
But he wasn't there now.
I could see where, using the brush as cover, he could have possibly slipped up the
hill - if he had carefully kept the bushes between me and he.
Apparently that's what he must have done.
Stealthy critter.
So I headed up the hill. Just maybe.
The hill was logged over with a few bushes and trees here and there remaining, but for the most part grass,
low shrubs, and
stumps.
The thought occurred to me - I was in his domain. He probably escapes and
evades every day. (He evaded yesterday.) Who am I to think I can come onto this tom's turf and
out-smart him? But thoughts like that are not productive. Instead I thought on
the fact that I have a God in heaven that can work on my behalf - and also -
that, regardless of how smart he made these critters - he also gave me dominion
over them.
So I headed up the hill.
If I was him - and was able to sneak out of a kill zone - I would then spare no
energy (run, fly, whatever) to get as far away as possible ... the greater portion of a mile, at least.
But one has to try.
I followed what could have been his escape route,
eventually getting on top of a hill, with good visibility all around.
Nothing.
So, ughhh, ... I was in the process of giving up and turning around, when behind
me I heard a clucking sound, close - perhaps fifteen feet away. Me thinketh that
sounds like a turkey. But, ... it could be a hen, so I better be careful. I
moved toward the sound - a big red head popped up. Tom! - it's you! He
kind of ducked (actually that head-forward run) and started to move quickly away - as I am
learning they can do. (Everything is now understandably happening very fast.)
Since I am on the crown of a hill, these may be the last small moments I see
him, forever, as he disappears over the crown. And now, in contrast to earlier,
the bird is so close ... but I am
again at disadvantage - as my pattern will be VERY tight.
I snap the shot off as he disappears and I get a glimpse of what looks like a
tumbling bird.
I go over and I have my TOM!!!
I am richer and more blessed than I deserve!
...
Notes: 1. Though the brunt of my pattern missed his head - it did catch one of
his shoulders - looked like he was hit by a car!
2. I guess he's not as big as an element of livestock (see `Tom!' ...
here). But he's sure bigger
than the other birds (doves, quail, pheasant, ducks, and geese) .... that I have
shot. I assume this is the bird I saw yesterday - but don't know for sure.
3. I made my way through barking (and biting) dogs - and stuffed a couple large feathers with a note that `I Got Him!' in the landowner's door.
FEATURES
1) Big, though not as big as a cow.
2) Tail feathers: 16 in. long.
3) Wing feathers: 18 in. long.
4) Beard: 8 in. long.
5) ... thing on head: 4 or 5 in. long (est.).
6) Spurs: 1-1/8 in.
7) Aroma ... [deleted].
... wrist watch: not his, but mine.