4-7-12

Today I guided Stan and Conor Prolo on a turkey hunt. We got to the ranch before day light and headed up the ridge to sit and listen for the first gobble of the morning. Just before legal shooting light the gobblers started going crazy and we headed for the closest one to get set up. We walked up the ridge and got the decoys set and started to call. Almost immediately we had 3 or 4 gobblers answer back and our set up was looking good. Within minutes we had turkeys gobbling all around us and we could hear them walking in the brush at close range but they never showed themselves. We gave it a half hour and then decided to regroup. We loaded up in the ranger and headed further down the valley to see what we could find. As we drove along I spotted a hen walking down the road so we bailed out and headed in her direction to get set up. As soon as I got the decoy out I hit the call and we had gobble break out within 40 yards of us, so I called again and within seconds the gobbler was at 10 yards and closing. I told Conor to get ready and as soon as the gobbler cleared the brush Conor laid the hammer down. As I watched the gobbler go down I looked over to find Conor on his back. I guess the turkey loads pack a little more punch than he was use to, but he was all smiles. After a quick photo session we headed out to try and find another turkey for Stan. We had heard some more turkeys gobble and as we moved in on them it happened quick as a big Tom showed himself at 30 yards but just didn't give us the shot we were looking for. We then headed further into the ranch and heard gobbles almost everywhere that we stopped but we just could not get them to come close enough for a shot. The birds went silent around 10:00 and we just could not get them to respond anymore so we called it a day. It was a good hunt with alot of action and by the sound of things this morning there are plenty of Tom's, but I think they are pre-occupied with their hen's. As soon as they get them bred they will be out searching for new girls, so I think the turkey hunting should only get better as the season progresses. Both Stan and Conor were great guys and we had alot of fun. This was Conor's first hunt ever and he handled it like a seasoned veteran! 

Casey