ONE FINE DAY or is it ONE FINE TURKEY ???

[john59]

---Been away for a bit, but I'm back on the Board again.

A STORY, but not a fish tale, Us FISHERPEEPLES are good at that. Right, Frank, aka Born 2 Fish

Wandering around Penns Woods (PA) at 6:03AM last Saturday and trying to hustle up a date (Shhhh, don't tell DW), I looked like a dying bush.

At 71 years of age, dressed in Camo, carrying a firearm, my chances to find a date 'slim to non-existent'. Let me see if I can find a guy and not a gal.

I started up my HEN call (gotta sound like a gal to rustle up a guy), I gave 6 yelps on my old turkey call. Bygolly and bejeezus I received 3 spread out responses from different Gobblers, 200/250 yards away.

OH NOOOOOOOO ! ! ! This could be a problem. They know exactly where I am, and if they come to me, a good old fashion Irish donnybrook may break out between them. Outcome, NO DATE FOR ME.

I called twice more----theyre' still a comin'---What to do ? What to do ?

Avid turkey hunters will faint with what I did next. Two seemed interested, but one sounded excited and interested.

I proceeded to hit 20 rapid yelps (maybe 30) on the call. Two of the birds shutdown but the one I was concentrating on, Gobbled for close to a minute non-stop. THAT's MY DATE saying 'baby I'm the one for you'.

At 6:21AM I put my Tag on the biggest Wild Turkey I have ever harvested.

The anticipation, the calling, the response, blink or just slightly move at the wrong time and the game is over. I just hope I can to this when I am 91 or 101 etc. etc.

I have hunted Spring Gobblers in this stand of 4 trees for close to 40 years. Sorry, I can't tell you where they are. I may be there next year.

The picture does little justice on the size of the Gobbler. I just wish I had a better picture.

john

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Congratulations John ! That is one mighty fine Meleagris gallopavo,,
and one big bird !

And WELCOME back, brother !!!

 

[john59]

Thanks Frank. It is good to be back and YA LEARN SUMTIN' NEW EVERYDAY

When I looked at Meleagris Gallopavo in your reply, I thought I had some kinda' contagious disease. Didn't really bother me, cause I got one of everything in this beat up BOD.

Sooooooooo, I got out my parchment dictionary (autographed by Ben Franklin) when I was jest a lil' tyke and by golly, look what I found:

I had no idea, all these years that I was huntin' the MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO-------------AKA-----------WILD TURKEY

john

 

[2goofycampers]

That thing is huge. Now let's see him on a plate.

 

[john59]

I actually thought about having him stuffed, mounted ; whatever it is called today.

My hero Quint in Jaws said "the taxidermy man is gonna faint when he sees what I brung him"

I had the perfect place to put him in a Strutting Pose, feathers fluffed out 'On top of the coffe table in our living room'.

My understanding, compassionate DW Shirley said one thing---------------------------'OUT'.-------------------My size 14 foot is lodged in my mouth AGAIN ! !

Another night in the doghouse. The doghouse is actually the back seat of our truck. Glad we have an extended cab. DW has no idea I have stashed a lot of freeze dried goodies in the truck (been there often) and it's not gonna snow tonight. I hope ! ! !

john

 

[ZeroMyHero]

My grampa had a small turkey farm when I was little and I remember the birds being pretty big and fat, but none of them compared to that wild one. Congrats! He'll look great mounted up.