encorepistol
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- Oct 9, 2002
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Took us a couple days to catch up with this bird but it finally came together. We only had an hour or so to hunt in the mornings before work during the week but it all paid off. We pulled up late around 5:30 and got out of the trucks and he was already gobbling on top of the ridge. We husstled up and got within 75 yards of him on the edge of a clover field and set up. For the next 1/2 hour he gobbled nonstop at anything and everything. I made a couple soft tree calls then later a flydown cackle and shut up. At 6:15 he pitched out with a hen and actually was going the other way with her when I made a series of yelps and she turned and came our way but stayed in the brush. I figured she would lead him away out of range but he came in to 35 yards and stopped where I didn't have a shot at first. He puffed up and drummed several times and slowly made his way a little closer finally offering the shot at 30 yards. I clicked the safety on my Rem 3 1/2" and dropped the hammer on 2 1/4 oz. of lead to put him straight down. He weighed in at 22 pounds had 2 1/4" spurs and an 11 1/8" beard. Here's a few pics taken at the in laws house. Wish I had the camera for field shots but it was raining this morning.
