Game Over

by David Rearick
31 May 2009

Day three, and after trying to work a pre-scouted bird for two days with no luck, I was eager to return to old and familiar haunts. The day before I had changed plans slightly after gaining access to property where I'd spotted two strutters. Unfortunately, my decision wasn't the best as the birds were roosted across the road; it quickly became obvious that going in "blind" wasn't the way to do it. I decided to slip out, leaving the pair for another day, and headed to one of my favorite places. Surprising for a public area, there weren't any trucks in the parking lot. Quickly, I gathered my gear and headed out. Before I could reach my intended location - a hidden field - I spotted a strutter and ducked into the timber. Several unsuccessful set-ups later, and having called in a pack of hens while listening to five different gobblers, I once again slipped out. A quick lunch-break hunt met with no success; however, I'd be back the morning, with my sights set on the boss gobbler I'd seen strutting with half a dozen hens.  

I slipped in early, intending to sit where I had watched the big boy strutting initially. My plan was to still until 6:00, and then decide whether or not to move; however, I couldn't make it, and at 5:50, I hot-footed it to the powerline where he had been the day before. Just as I set my decoy, the old boy gobbled. Again he gobbled on his own, and then at my first call. Cautious, I decided to let him rest and come to me - nothing. Then I heard what I thought were three more birds on the right. Now with all the birds on the ground, it seemed that my original longbeard was headed away, while the other three were moving, albeit slowly, in my direction. Thirty minutes went by, and it was time to get these birds fired up. Laying into them with the crystal and mouth calls, they went berserk! Suddenly, a hen opened up between us, and I assumed it was Game Over. Another call, and an immediate response...but then nothing. And then again, nothing. I'd give them five minutes before moving, and then it was - unfortunately - time for work.  

Just as I was about to leave, I let out a final yelp and was cut-off by what sounded like the three gobblers. There they were! Slowly and cautiously, they all stepped out of the timber - three longbeards and a single hen. The first bird out was the strutter, but there was another with a longer beard - he was my target. After what seemed like an hour, he eventually slipped apart from the others; slowly I centered the bead on his head and started to put pressure on the trigger. This time, it really was Game Over.