Turkey Hunting – Awesome Evenings

It is turkey season for us in Colorado right now.  I’ve been out several times and had two great evenings.  This year I am hunting my bird with a bow.  It is such a challenge and a lot of fun.

Hank and I sat and called and called a tom from one ridge over and across the valley a few days ago.  We worked and worked him, and it seemed he was hung up at the bottom of the hill.  He wasn’t coming.  Hank decided to head home, and I told him I was staying until the last light or at least until I could “put him to bed.”  That means waiting until I figure out where he would roost for the night.

I sat and waited and called a little bit.  Then he gobbled to me.  Yes!  I waited and called a little more, and then he gobbled again.  I gobbled back.  He was still hung up at the bottom of the hill…  I thought!

Before I knew it there, he was!  He was to my left and not more than 10 yards away.  A HUGE tom!  He had backdoored me!  Dang!  I waited and waited and then we heard branches break behind me.  It was a couple of cow elk.  The tom took a couple of steps and then took flight.  He sailed away across the valley.  Beautiful!  What a rush to be staring him eye to eye for those few seconds.

I could still roost some other birds but couldn’t come out the next morning because I had to take the Little Gal to school.

We waited until the following evening, and we set out again.  The Little Gal wanted to come this time, and we are so happy she did.  We headed over to set up our decoys and saw three jakes at the bottom of the hill strutting away.  We moved our location and set up, hiding the Little Gal in the front so she could have the first crack.

We began calling, and the jakes came through the trees in a matter of moments.  I whispered to the Little Gal that they were within range and she could take whichever she wanted.  She steadied her shotgun and waited.  They turned and headed back, and I told her to wait.  Hank called behind us, and they returned.  This happened a couple of times, and then I chirped in a couple of calls to entice them a little more.  The three birds headed in front of us, cruising right past our decoys and to the other side.  All the while I was shaking and trembling. “Shoot one!  Shoot one!” I whispered to myself.  Nothing.

The jakes were passed and still within range.  There was brush here and there obscuring a clear shot, but shots.  We wondered if the Little Gal was just in shock.  The jakes headed around and down another hill.  We repositioned, and Hank and I called again. This time with me in the front.  If she wasn’t going to do it, I was.

Here they came again!  I couldn’t believe it!  It was awesome!  I waited until they were behind a tree and drew my bow up.  I shook and trembled with excitement.  “Steady, steady.  Take a deep breath.  Relax.”  I steadied myself, relaxed, and held that bow up for what seemed like hours.  FINALLY.  There he was and a clear shot.  I touched my trigger, and an arrow flew.  DANG!  Right below him.  I reached for another arrow and pulled it back as quickly as possible.  I released another arrow as he ran over the edge of the hill.  Nothing.  WOW!!!

My adrenaline ran hard, and I was SO EXCITED!  This is my first year hunting a bird with a bow and I had gotten the first-time jitters out of the way on a super awesome evening.  I’ll be back after them soon.

I feel so blessed to have the times I do in the outdoors.  On the way home here is the awesome view we had.  Wow!  Mother Nature is spectacular isn’t she?  What a blessed day!

It’s always an adventure!

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