Talking Turkey

[LtCol Henderson Marriott]

April in the central west Alabama almost high hills in the early morning is a wonderful time.
No sounds but a Barred owl and a large Pillated woodpecker...sun rays catching the trees.
Then, almost a mile distant through the oak and hickory a strange almost muted gobble, then another- same bird.
Moving down toward a small field, I found a well located if not hidden spot and called to this forlorn turkey. He gobbled right back-the duel with this Eastern wild turkey was on.
No decoy or blind, just an older hunter challenged since his first gobbler at 14. ( Who says turkey hunting is not a disease?)
After more yelps and gobbling exchanged, at about 65 yards I caught movement through the wood thicket. He was definitely headed my way East to West, looking for a hen or a fight-or both. He closed still moving to 50 yards, but he was looking sharply as only an old gobbler can, and he was headed for a high bushed berm, 20 yards away. Decision time, as the berm would serve as cover for this denizen of the forest blocking shotgun #4 pellets. He was'nt coming any closer as he had made up his mind. Old gobblers get old by use of acute vision and trusting nothing until seen, preferably beyond any normal shotgun range.
But he had not figured on a 1924 Long Range LC Smith 3-in gun, or maybe a 1925 VHE
Parker 2 7/8 in shotgun with 3 in Long Beard #4s.At the shot-right barrel- he was stunned but not down or gone-standing... left barrel closed the distance**This morning it was the LC Smith and its 32 in full choke barrels that did the business at 51 yards. Longer range than I am comfortable with, but this 21 pound -10 inch bearded fine gobbler was about to leave...
almost. A noble Eastern gobbler. Maybe I can get a picture, if he will quit trying to run off with the LC Smith...