Conclusion: The Salient

[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: The Salient

A few years earlier, I might have tried to slip forward a few yards or even stand to get a crack at the gobbler’s melon. But remember, we were on a point. Unless he took wing and sailed for a mile, the turkey wasn’t going the opposite direction off the tip of the point. It was almost as unlikely that he’d pitch or walk off the steep sides of the point. Unless I did something really stupid, he was only going to walk one way — toward me.

And five minutes later, he did. Well, actually, he poked his head up a bit to check things out. I had to lean around a blowdown to shoot the bird, but that was a small hurdle to overcome.

After the shot, I jumped up and gave my friend the thumbs-up sign. I’d done it right. My buddy then reminded me that the gobbler was flopping down Turkey Point — like several hundred feet down — and that I’d better retrieve the bird unless I wanted to try to airlift it out later.

What decision did you make?

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[dewey]

Seems like you had him pretty cornered.

Congratulations

Dewey

[Bobbyparks]

I've noticed that a LOT of turkeys don't make it home on the evening of the day Mr Lovett is making decisions

Not the home they prefer anyway

[Brian Lovett]

Ha! Just trying to make myself look good, Bobby. Wait till you read next week's installment.

[xcal1ber]

That is what I would have done, and it looks like it payed off for you. Keep em coming!