[J. A. EARLY]

for taking young hunters the last week. Relative has three daughters whom he wants me to take next week. Finally got number three. A tough season. Found this bird last Friday, busted him trying to get too close. Set up on him on Saturday not getting too close. Came to 75 yards in strut. Took a long hard look, probably at decoy in woods, went on. On Monday got to within 50 yards on the roost. Flew down the other way and two hours later he skirted me gobbling as he went by. Tuesday went on an evening hunt, busted a bird at 6 pm already roosted, called two others in that I spooked as they came in behind me about 7:30. Don't know which was the gobbler. Wednesday let him rest. Thursday slept late and went out after him in a 20 mph wind, and at 12 I got him to gobble every time I called. Passed on a 50 yard shot even though I had the artillery to do it. But finally at 35 yards feeding and gobbling number three for the season is in the bag. Started with a Parker Trojan, then jinxed went to a Franchi 912 that missed, to the Beretta Xtrema that scored, to an A5 20 mag that did not get a shot, to a Beretta 686 20 gauge that scored, and finally with a difficult bird to get into range on a windy day the Xtrema with TSS #9s at 1:20 p.m. Enjoyed the fellow members' successes.