Conclusion: Beneath, Between, Behind

[Brian Lovett]

In "Decision Time," Editor Brian Lovett shares a scenario from his 20-plus years hunting turkeys. Each hinges on a critical decision. Post what choice you would have made, and then see how things actually turned out.

Conclusion: Beneath, Between, Behind

The trip back to the road and along the logging trail would take at least 10 to 15 minutes. Further, the turkey was pepper-hot. I figured I could try him from across the ditch and see what happened. If he hung up on the opposite ridge, I still had enough cover to make my end-around.

When the turkey hit the ground, I yelped at him softly, and he screamed back immediately. I waited a minute and then yelped again. He roared, and he was closer. After the next call, he was closer yet, and after the next, I scolded myself to get my gun up — now.

I heard him drumming before I saw him, but that didn't matter. When he topped the small ridge in front of me, he was at 18 steps, and I watched him for a moment before ending the hunt. It's not that I felt smug about my decision; I just wanted to appreciate the moment. After all, red-hot turkeys can make any decision look good.

What decision did you make?

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[ylpnfol]

i called my first spring longbeard across a swamp, i never thought he would come, til i heard his wingbeats, if you catch 'em in the right frame of mind, w/out hens, anything is possible.....