Conclusion: A Bench Too Far

[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, then see how things actually turned out.

Conclusion: A Bench Too Far

Patience and positioning are usually critical when dealing with any turkey, and we already had the latter. I just needed to exercise the former. I decided to wait that old buzzard out.

At any moment, I?expected to see that white softball periscope above the ridge. I clucked and purred. He gobbled. I went silent for long stretches. He gobbled. I scratched in the leaves. He gobbled. One time, I thought about calling, and I'm pretty sure he gobbled.

But he never came. And soon, he was gone. I was stunned.

"Maybe you should have belly-crawled him," I said sheepishly to my friend.

He sighed and shook his head.

"Maybe so," he replied.

Not exactly a vote of confidence.

What decision did you make?

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[WillowRidgeCalls]

Guess our thoughts on the subject were about the same, so I guess I would be looking for another bird also. [&o]

[Bobbyparks]

If you'd had belly crawled and he busted you you would be kicking yourself for not being patient and probably would have thought you would have for sure got him if you waited. He was so close

I think you made the right call chief............ and the bird ought to be ashamed of himself for not doing what we all know he should have done. [:)]

[Cut N Run]

I agree on yours being the right call too. How many times have you moved, only to have the bird end up where you started?

It is nice when their curiosity plays against them, but they wouldn't be as challenging if they were very predictacble.

Jim