Another longbeard!

[BayGator]

Got up early Saturday for one last hunt so I can get into fishing mode again. Got to the spot I had seen a gobbler last week and set up. My thermocell only held off the first batallion of mosquitos and soon I was in a North Florida living hell. I moved spots to a less dense area in hope of getting some relief but they started pounding me again. I was just on the verge of giving up and heading back to the truck when i heard the first gobble right at daylight. This prompted me to stay for a bit. I could not get a bead on his direction so I moved north about a hundred yards and he sounded off again, south of my first position and getting closer. I hauled butt back to my first spot and had to cross a clearing and was nervous the bird was waiting at the same clearing and would bust me but I took a chance and crossed over and didn't see him yet! I got set and hit the slate call with a few soft yelps and he blasted off 4 gobbles in a row within 100 yards! At this point I could have had 10000 west nile virus carrying mosquitos on me biting but could care less because the gobbler was on fire and looking for a new lady friend. Another round of really soft clucks and purrs and he lit up within 30 yards and it sounded like he was sitting right next to me. I pull the remington 1100 to my shoulder and safety off with the longbeard well in range, drumming and strutting while eyeballing my hen decoy at the end of the patch. His first 10 steps were carefree and he was trying to impress her but then his next five steps were cautiously thought out as he knew something was not right. I did not feel good about the shot with some bushes between us so I waited in agony for him to calm back down and continue just a few more feet for a clean shot. He did not cooperate and I could tell he knew the jig was up and turned walking quickly out of the ambush, so I aimed and took a shot through the bush and the 3" hevi-shot #5's layed him out!!! 1" spurs, 9" beard and 16.2 lbs. It was an awesome hunt even wiyh the pesky biting flies!




Dinner!!

[Redbelly]

[Chalk]

[beer thirty]

Glad you killed one! Yesterday one came in on me so fast not gobbling and I didn't have time to get my gun up. He came within 15 yds of me and when I did raise my gun it was too late.

This morning one gobbled within 30 yds in thick woods but would not step out in the road. They are kicking my butt.

[KyTrkyHntr]

Nice bird!!! Congrats!