Turkeys whipped me this year

[Pat Babaz]

Seems like one of those seasons where nothing goes right. Stayed when I shoulda moved, Moved when I shoulda stayed, Called too much, Called not enough, Tried to get to close, Didn't get close enough.... the list of what if I'd done this or tried that is endless. There is just no way to get inside a turkey's head or make him do something he doesn't want to do. They really frustrate me at times but I still love it

Hunt#4- Gobbler came down off the roost with 3 hens, didn't want nothing to do with me or my calling but slipped by at about 60 yards, I only had a modified choke in(I know stupid me) so I didn't try him. One of the hens got within about 5 yards of me so that was pretty cool. About 45 minutes after they had all moved on I peeked out and seen the group about 80 yards down the road, got impatient and tried to crawl closer and bumped them. Stupid mistake

Hunt#5- One started gobbling about 9am about 250 yards away, he only gobbled 3 or 4 times total. Tried to go to him with no luck. Wish now I would have tried to get around in front of him instead. Did kill 2 pigs on the way out though

Hunt#6(today)- Last day, last chance. Found one gobbling on his own about 8am, set up and let him toy with me for about 1hr, coming closer, moving farther, coming closer, moving farther. Finally gave up on him and walked a couple more blocks out seeing/hearing nothing. Walked back to where I was messing with that stupid turkey earlier and he gobbled, I had no more patience for him and was gonna just go home when a new one gobbled off to my left about 200 yards. I set up on him and yelped once more so he could pinpoint me and he had cut the distance in half within about 5 minutes!! Coming in hot(so I thought) I just knew any minute I'd see that red head bobbing thru the woods but it wasn't meant to be. Stayed another 30 minutes never seen or heard him again.

In a way I'm glad the seasons over but in another way I can't wait to do it all again next year!!!