After patiently waiting yesterday and watching his big sister miss the first one and then connect on a bird later in the morning, it was his turn this morning.
It was the most nerve racking hunt I have ever endured. Had birds on the neighboring property at about 150 yards all morning. Around 8 they left the field and stopped answering calls. About 8:15 one decided to come back and gobbled on his own. I told Will to get ready and that he was coming this time.
I called to him and he shut me off--ground rattling time. I waited about five minutes and called again and he gobbled about 150 yards out in the field. By this time I am flustered and bumpuzzled. In about 3 minutes, I hear chkk vroooooooom from what sounded like the right window of the blind. That turkey stayed in a thicket at 18 yards for 30 minutes and never left an area the size of the bed of my pickup. He finally breaks free and comes onto our side.
Lessons learned was that even though I have no doubt we could have crossed over that fence and killed him at 7:00, we were patient and good things happen for folks that do the right thing.
Weight on certified scales was 23.25 pounds, he had beard rot but had about 10 strands at 10" and the best part....1.25" hooks.