Two years ago on September 21, 2007 I shot my first Turkey. It was a hen. I was heading out to go bear hunting when they happened to cross the road. I'm not one to pass on opportunity so I parked my jeep walked down the hill and killed my first turkey. I was happy but not as happy as I would have been if I had been out hunting them purposely. She was delicious nonetheless. Well this spring like many before I headed into the field with high expectations. I love the spring woods. The green grass, the smell of life, and the feeling of the whole new season laid out before you. What will this year bring? During the second week of the 2009 spring season, April 30th to be exact, a friend and I made our way to one of my favorite hunting spots south of Coeur d' Alene Idaho. We slowly made our way down to some clearings where the potential for a turkey encounter was very possible. I called on my slate call and was pleased to hear the response of an eager tom. We made our way down a logged out area and set up. I called and the birds answered. As the sounds of their gobbles became louder the anticipation grew. My friend gave a few strokes on his call and the birds were going wild. My eyes strained looking for a big ole tom to appear. Then it happened "Gobble, Gobble, Gobble" not 2o yards behind us in the thicket. The tension was almost too much to handle. Then nothing. They gave us the slip and left us pondering what went wrong. That's hunting. They must have spotted us or heard something they didn't like. Well that was the beginning of the day. Still time for a lot more hunting. My buddy and I both had to leave the woods around 10am and head for home due to prior engagements. I picked up my Grandma and took her to her doctors appointment and then gave her an offer she couldn't refuse. "Granny do you want to go hunting?" "Of course!" was her reply. I took her for a drive and though we did come across a bird it quickly disappeared into the creek bottom never to be seen again. After our afternoon drive, I dropped her off at home and decided I hadn't had enough. I went back to the spot where my friend and I had hunted earlier that day and made my way down to the same place where I'd started the day. I walked and called and nothing. I sat by an old apple tree, and called some more. Nothing. Then it happened. After calling for about 20 minutes, I heard that sweet symphonic sound. It was music to a turkey hunters ears. I called again and I got a quick response. The hunt was on. I grabbed my trusty Remington 870 and headed in the direction of the gobbles. I called for 20 more minutes and the birds kept responding but wouldn't budge. I decided I would cut the distance and slowly worked my way to them. As I approached a logged out clearing they gobbled again. "They're close now!" I sat up on the corner where the old skid trail met the clearing. I knew I'd have shot if they kept coming. I called and they went ballistic. The sound echoed through the timber. I called again, they were on their way. I couldn't see the birds yet, but new they would appear at any moment. Then I saw them. Two red heads coming right at me. My gun was ready, my adrenaline pumping. "I can't believe this is about to happen" I thought to myself as I raised my gun and waited. The birds walked right down the old skid trail searching for what they thought was a hen. They had no idea that a predator was waiting. One bird walked past my shooting lane and into the open where he locked eyes on me. I was frozen and couldn't move fearing they would flush. As luck would have it the other bird stopped directly where my gun was pointed through the trees. I held the front sight on his head and squeezed the trigger. The bird dropped dead and I let out my uncontrollable primal scream. My first successful turkey hunt. It was a jake with a 2" beard but I couldn't have been prouder. I field dressed my prize and headed back to the jeep. I went to Granny's house and she took pictures. It was a day to remember especially after so many years of no success. Oh but wait, it's not over yet. A week later I headed back to the same spot. It was a rainy day in May and I relished the idea of getting a second bird. It wasn't long before I was into birds again, I spotted one on the closed road about a mile into my walk. I set up and began to call but the birds were not impressed and skirted my position by 60 yards. I tried to cut them off and they pulled a fast one on me strutting and laughing at me as they headed for the hills. I headed back to the Jeep excited that I at least saw the birds. Then I had an Idea. Maybe they're heading back to the same spot I killed the jake last week. I made my way back to the same spot and set up. The birds were going crazy and were only 20 yards away, below a small shelf that I couldn't see over. I strained and strained and finally I saw a patch of white. It was like a flower had appeared in the grass. But in the center of the flower was that thing a predator learns to notice. It was an eye. A turkey's eye staring right at me. I slid down a little lower for a better view and the bird lifted his head. I squeezed the trigger and the birds went flying. One to my left and one to my right. I jacked another shell and headed towards the bird I shot at. He ran away and then turned to my left at less than 20 yards, visibly stunned from the first shot. I followed it up with a quick head shot and my second bird was dead. I couldn't believe it. Two birds exactly a week apart in the same location. Amazing. The second bird was a bit bigger than the first and sported a nice 8 and 1/2 inch beard. I was pleased beyond belief. I took the birds to Tim's Custom Meats in Coeur d' Alene and had them smoked--delicious. My perseverance paid off and I ended my spring season with a mile wide grin. Any guesses where I'll be hunting next spring?
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