I took a deer hunting buddy turkey hunting for his first time to our club located in middle GA. Now hunting Easterns during the early season in GA is some of the hardest turkey hunting out there. We spent three days chasing them. The only ones that were gobbling were staying in a big cow pasture on someone else’s land.
Since they were not working the calls, we decided to setup a tent on a trail they like to travel. As from the video, you can see my tent is not the best. We were very cozy in this small tent. I am going to have to buy some better tents next year.
Anyway, we had a nice gobbler come through but he hung up and never gave us a good shot. There were a couple times we could have pushed it but decided not to. So, in the video, you can see him ease around us. I am not sure if he was wary because of the tent or just a subordinate bird afraid of my decoys.
We were very disappointed about not getting this bird and with all this regret built up, we decided to go back in the morning and try to get him. Sure enough, he popped out where we last saw him leave the evening before. I could not get the camera over to film him. He was showing that same distance wariness so we decided to shoot him. Well, Bill decided. In the video I was trying to suggest that if he goes back in the woods shoot him but I think he will settle and come to the decoys. I did not get that all out when BOOM, Bill shot the turkey. Bill had a lot of pent up anxiety and he let it fly with his Beretta and 3 ½ inch turkey load. It is not great video but the story is great.
I would have loved for him to have shot one off the call that was strutting away, but sometimes you take what you get. This hunt was very unique. I will remember this hunt always especially since it was his first bird and the fellowship shared.