Hunting Spring Gobblers

It's about 9:30 am on April 12, 2010, and I wantThey finally moved by me to my right. I waited,
to share with you the events of a successfulhoping to see a gobbler in the woods behind
Spring Gobbler hunt that took place this morning inthem, but one never materialized.
the foothills of North Mountain near Whitacre, VA.About 30 minutes or so went by and I began to
There were three of us hunting this morning; mycall again. I was using a Tom Gaskins call, which I
son, Curry, his buddy and former Sherandoinherited from my Dad many years ago. This is a
Warrior teammate, Hunter Taylor, and me. Curryhollow tube type call that uses a wooden striker.
and Hunter decided they would hunt one side ofMost people say it doesn't really sound as
the property where they had roosted two birdsauthentic as some of the newer designs of today.
the night before. Curry is trying to help HunterI would have to agree, but for Spring Gobblers,
get his first Spring Gobbler ever.I've found nothing that works better. Gobblers will
I decided to hunt the other side of the propertyrespond to this call when they won't to other calls.
where Curry had previously heard a Gobbler onYou can still buy the Tom Gaskins Turkey Call
opening day. He had told me the Gobbler wouldfrom Cabelas. When I called this time, a gobbler
gobble his head off at a crow call, but hadn'tanswered me out to my left and it sounded to
responded to a turkey call. He also told me thatme that he was at my elevation. So I started
the bird had lots of hens which I knew wouldgiving it to him pretty hard, trying my best to
make for a difficult situation.sound like the sexiest and horniest hen on the
At daybreak I positioned myself between the topmountain. He gobbled again and was closer... he
of an oak ridge that had been timbered a couplewas coming!
of years ago and a mature apple orchard. CurryI called some more, laid down the call and got
had harvested a nice bird on this same ridge lastready. This time he didn't answer and I knew he
year and there always seems to be a gobbler atwas looking for me. I strained hard, trying to see
this location most years. I patiently waited for ahim... trying to hear him in the leaves, but nothing.
gobble, but heard nothing.Ten minutes had gone by and I was getting
I moved down the ridge a little further andimpatient. I had to call again. So I picked up my
listened some more....still...nothing. Normally I wouldcall and gave a couple of yelps.
have given an owl hoot to try and stir somethingThe gobbler gobbled.... right behind me to my
up, but my owl hooter was somehow misplacedleft...he was in my lap, not more than 15 yards
and can't be found. Curry gave me another toaway. I turned ever so slowly to find him and
use, but it just doesn't sound right. If the truth bethat's when all hell broke loose. The hens saw me
known, I think Curry has mine!and went in all directions. I could then see the red
The apple blossoms are out in full bloom which isheaded gobbler behind them and he saw me at
really unusual. Everything seems to be about aexactly the same time and took flight. My first
month ahead, which explains why the Gobblersshot missed cleanly and, as I chambered the
are with the hens. I concluded that the gobblersecond round, flashes went through my mind of
may not be gobbling because he doesn't have to...serious ribbing from Curry and Hunter for letting
he already has plenty of ladies! So I decided tothe big bird get away. The second shot was true,
just sit down and call.however, and I watched the gobbler tumble to
I hadn't called more than two or three timesthe forest floor. The gobbler weighed in at 18 lbs.,
when I heard something in the leaves and lookedhad a ten inch beard and 3/4 inch spurs. It was a
up to see three hens coming right to me. Theyfun morning!
came to within ten yards and never saw me.