Katie’s 1 st Tom, by Pro Staffer, Chris Sellers
On my wife’s 7 th turkey season we were very optimistic for a successful hunt. Previous opportunities were plagued with bad luck ranging from bobcats stalking the same turkey to random vehicles driving through the woods while calling in birds. This time we had scouted, prepared, and planned so there would be no mishaps. Its 5:30 and we are unloading equipment and heading for the blind when my wife realizes that we forgot the shotgun. Earlier that morning she had offered to grab the shotgun and when I said “it’s in the safe” she admits she heard “it’s in the case, sitting by the safe”. So a mad dash for the house and an hour later, we are hoping to have our bad luck out of the way.
Only minutes after crawling into the blind we see a hen walking the field edge a good 300 yards out. After the hen passes out of sight we begin to call with simple yelps, immediately followed by a tom that hammers back with several loud gobbles. This fires up another hen behind us and just like that the birds are talking all around us. Optimism is high and our adrenaline begins pumping. The tom gobbles for 10 minutes or better with very limited calling on my part, then goes silent. I say “he’s moving” and minutes later I hear my wife in a desperate voice say “there he is, please get him up here”. As soon as I can stop laughing at her request I pick up my call and say “I will do my best”.
After a few loud yelps the big ol’ tom starts to strut, still a good 300 yards out and not far from where the hen was just a little bit ago. Hoping the hen does not come back into the picture I continue to call only getting the bird more fired up. Then just like that, he starts to come our way as if we were pulling him in with a string, stopping to gobble and strut every 50 yards or so. When he reaches the bottom of the hill and is out of sight I see my wife shoulder the gun and I realize that all the hard work and persistence may soon payoff. Only to briefly see the gobbler heading to our right as if he was going to circle us.
I reach for my Humpin Hen call provided by Cass Creek Calls and let out a few soft yelps followed by some really soft purring. Able to only see him off and on it appears that maybe he had turned and is headed right for us, I can see her adrenaline rushing as the gun begins to shake. I turn my talking to my wife and try to calm her down. “Take it easy now, he’s not quite here yet” I say. As the bird walks up the hill and comes into sight I can hear her breathing change. She has locked all her focus onto that gobbler. Slowly closing the distance.. 60 yards, 50 yards, 40 yards and I whisper… “Ok, when you have a shot, take it”. She was ready, without hesitation I hear a shot and see my wife’s first tom hit the ground. A well placed 37 yard shot had brought her a tom that she has been pursuing for so many years. When the high fiving, shaking, pushing, and congratulating came to end it was finally time to go put our hands on this magnificent bird. Seeing the tears in her eyes I could appreciate the rewarding feeling that hunting can often provide. The gobbler was heavy with a 9” beard and 7/8” spurs, taken off a heavily pressured farm. Of all my turkey hunts this one was my instant favorite. To share the challenge, emotions and ultimate success with my wife is such an incredible feeling and wonderful bonding experience. Good Hunting!
