Turkey
Hey guys…I had a remarkable day last Thursday which started out great on a MAHA property and ended just as good on a local lake. I was able to complete the MO April Trifecta in a single day. The last time I did that was 16 years ago. It started out on a club property that I had only “scouted” from the road and looking at google earth. It looked like the property had all it needed to hold turkeys but with how the turkey numbers have plummeted in the last several years in the area it was no certain thing. Not knowing where the turkeys might roost and looking at potentially a long walk with a bum knee I got out there about an hour before legal shooting time to allow enough time for a slow walk and listening. I made it over 1/2 mile in before hearing my first gobble…off the property to the NW but close enough that I thought I might have a chance. While trying to find a suitable spot, I then heard another bird start gobbling directly west of me and on the property and then a third bird located further west and most likely on the adjoining farm. My first setup was poor, not enough cover and too far removed. The first bird shut up pretty quickly but the other two continued to gobble maybe or maybe not at my calling. I made the move. I had to cut back and around a good bit to stay off a bald ridge and out of sight but managed to get south of them and within 200 yards with a good setup. It didn’t take much after that. I’ve been turkey hunting for 45 years now and I can still recall that exact moment from most every hunt where I knew without a doubt that the gobbler was committed. It was no different on this hunt. Watching this 2 yo strut and gobble his way across the field and into my pair of decoys with the early morning sun shining on him was the most memorable moment of many on this morning.
I following up this hunt by morel hunting on my place and found around 20 or so nice blondes. Later in the day, I headed over to my local lake and managed a limit of crappie by dark. As I stated earlier, its been many a year since I completed the trifecta in a single day and it may not happen again for a good while. I continue to appreciate the opportunities the club provides to hunt quality properties.
MK member since 1999
