Turkey Season '02: First Turkey, 4/30/02 PA Gobbler 22 lbs. 10 1/2" beard Howdy folks. Red here with an important announcement (at least to me). I got my first wild turkey this morning. Real daggone early. Just off the roost. Big Jon and I put a nice big fat gobbler to bed last night. We had looked and listened for about an hour and a half last night til we heard him.Sat and waited for him to roost. He did.

We knew where he was, so we went home with a bit of confidence.....that we might actually get a crack at one in the morning.

Jon, being a veteran turkey hunter with a few beards under his belt, did not have the same exact excitement level in his soul as I. I myself have never been fortunate enough to get a wild turkey. Missed one once...but never got out there and really HUNTED for em. I could hardly sleep just thinking about that big Tom up in that tree.

4 a.m. hit, and my feet hit the floor. I was at Jon's by 4:30, and we were on the road trip to Gobbler Land. (10 minute ride) We decided to sneak way out around and above the Tom, and set up two decoys. Wow...the morning was so crisp and all...it was just a GOOD DAY period.

We took about a 400 yard walk up and around the cow pasture and into the top of the funnel that lead to teh woods where he roosted. Jon sat at the top, with decoys to his left at about 25 yards. I sat lower on the hill in the hedge line about 40 yards from him.

The birds started singing, and before long, our ears were greeted witht he welcome sound of the big Tom giving out a hearty gobble. (Confirmation...he is still in that tree) Jon gave him a little teaser and "tree-yelped" at him with a hen call. The Tom cut him off, and so did a 2nd!!!! We sat quiet and waited. I couldnt see Jon's face, but I know he was really feeling like I was. Maybe we will both get one!!!!!

A few minutes passed and the Toms must have been getting antsy. They gobbled out again...but this time there were THREE!!! Jon did a loose "fly-down" call that did the trick. It was still not really light, but light enough for me to see the first gobbler fly down from my left at about 70 yards and into the wheat field. Moments later, a second from the right. Both flew in at a 45 degree angle to the front of the tree where the big one was. He still was perched up and I could make him out fairly good by now. THEN A FOURTH flew in from nearby. At this point...with the younger ones below...the Big Tom proceeded his descent.

As soon as he hit the ground, Jon yelped a little. They all answered back in a staggered fashion. The Big Tom started up the hill to the decoys.

"Holy Cow, this is really happening!" I said to myself.

The bird only took a few moments to get in my shooting range, and I really really tried to make it count. "Wait, wait....BANG!" The twelve guage broke the air and dropped my bird. Jon tried to get a shot at one of the others, but really dint want to screw up the moment...and passed on the shot at a second. He could have taken one easy from my vantage point, and we tried to get em to come back....but it was TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!!!!! "We GOT A TURKEY!!!"

The rest is a blur. My Tom is now at the taxedermist, and meat in the freezer.

I really need to thank my "LIFE-FRIEND and HUNTING BUDDY Jon Tompkins, York County Rep for the UBP, for assiting me with this accomplishment. Sure...I could have probably taken one on my own...but who would I have to share every second of the excitement with? None other than my very best friend in the whole world. BIG JON.

I also need to send out BIG TIME thanks to TruWoods Camo for "sponsoring me" on this hunt. LOL Eric....thanks dude for making such an OUTSTANDING product. I will never hunt in anything less than TruWoods camo.

And finally, I need to thank my Dad...who had to go to work this morning, for taking me into the woods, and introducing me to this great sport. Hunting. Period.

Good Hunting,

Red Fletchings