Turkey Number Two

Story #259 by Larry Potterfield 21 April and 3 May 2020 Patton and Hunters Creek Farms Howard County, Missouri
My daughter Sara took this picture and said she hoped people didn’t think I’d shot this bird in a pen. Well, anybody that’s hunted wild turkeys knows there’s no such thing as shooting them in a pen.
My daughter Sara took this picture and said she hoped people didn’t think I’d shot this bird in a pen. Well, anybody that’s hunted wild turkeys knows there’s no such thing as shooting them in a pen.

In Missouri’s Spring Turkey Season we can shoot two Gobblers during the three-week season, only one of which can be taken during the first week – when, in theory, it’s a bit easier. During the first week there are more turkeys, they haven’t been hunted for a year and none of the two-year-old birds have been hunted at all, because we don’t shoot Jakes.
Turkey season is always looked forward to with great anticipation; which farm to hunt, how to hunt – walk in or sit in a blind, how many decoys, how much calling? Of course, there are a hundred more things to worry about.
Now, it’s opening day; being in the right place at the right time is never more important than when turkey hunting. I had made the decision to sit in a blind, rather than walk, because the blind was in a perfect gathering spot. If only the turkeys had known it was the perfect spot! All morning I sat in the comfort of the blind, drinking my coffee and enjoying breakfast. No turkeys!
Brenda was hunting about two miles to the west; she was luckier. One shot, one turkey and she was finished hunting until the second week.

Most everybody saves the tail feathers and the beard. This season I kept the feet with spurs and the empty shells – interesting picture anyway.
Most everybody saves the tail feathers and the beard. This season I kept the feet with spurs and the empty shells – interesting picture anyway.

She said there were three other toms in the group and offered that I should go after one of them on day two. So I did! At first light, there were gobbles coming from every direction; shortly the band of gobblers appeared in the farm road behind the blind. I carefully got out of my chair and leaning out the side window popped the closest bird.
On the first day of the second week, Brenda and I hunted her blind, trying to “double up” on toms; one bird came in and she shot it. As it was flopping around, three additional birds were coming in from 80 yards or so – but they moved off. Next day I’m back in my opening day blind; this time there was gobbling from a couple directions. I was dozing comfortably at 6:00 am, when the noise of a bobcat smacking one of the decoys got my attention. He was standing a few feet away, as surprised as I was; but in two seconds he moved quickly into the woods. No problem, an hour later two toms walked in from the right side and my 2020 turkey season was over. What a great time!

My blind, on Hunters Creek, from the gobbler’s perspective – 40 yards, 8:00 am
My blind, on Hunters Creek, from the gobbler’s perspective – 40 yards, 8:00 am
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