halffast
PR Elite
Since Kaiser seems to have fallen off the face of the planet I thought I would start it . The freaky weather and early green-up have made it a strange start to the season . I was fortunate enough to have set up 40 yards from where the birds were roosted this morning . It was really windy and the toms didn't start gobbling until full light . 5 jakes flew down and put on a chasing , fighting , strutting show all around me for about 15 minutes . They got as close as 15 yards but I let them walk . The longbeard , of course , sailed farther out into the woods and gobbled a couple of hens in which also brought the jakes to the action . He kept running the jakes off but they kept pestering him . Did some soft yelping on a mouth call and the whole clan started my way . Only did 3 different series of yelps but it was enough to draw them right to me , the big tom bringing up the rear . I had to hold the gun up for an eternity and finally , with the jakes and hens 15 FEET from me , I dropped the hammer on the old gobbler at 18 yards . Birds flew everywhere , some so close I could have swatted them with my gun barrel . Wasn't in a blind , just backed up against a tree and wearing a full suit of leafy cut , mossy oak camo . Great morning . He weight 20 pounds 14 ounces , had 1 inch spurs , and a 10.5 inch beard .