The Release of Opening Morning of Turkey Season
After duck season closes, the work around the MS Delta Ducks office does not slow down. Field staff members get busy taking up and storing blinds, our corporate team sets meetings with landowners lining up next year’s properties, and I jump in following up with this past season’s hunt groups as well as developing a relationship with new groups. The light at the end of the tunnel for me is the opening week of turkey season. It is my release.
I couldn’t have scripted a better opening morning to the season. I headed back to Lauderdale County to some ground that I have never hunted before and was virgin turkey territory for turkey hunters. I got in place before sunrise and experienced nature’s transition unfold as the veil of darkness and sounds of nighttime predators settled into the quiet just before morning’s light. The forest began stirring with the morning songs and chirping and rustling of birds. As the sun peeped over the horizon and electrified the dew in the grass and the droplets clinging like tears to pine needles, I heard the first gobble of the new season.
The pursuit of the first smart, long-beard had begun. I quietly moved into position that felt close enough to work my calling magic and then he gobbled along with another gobbler about 150 yards away. Evaluating my current location, I noticed fresh turkey signs all around and resisted the temptation to move closer. With mistake-free patience, the spot seemed right. I did some soft tree yelps to let the birds know where I was before settling in.
Almost immediately, a hen yelped back, and I heard a turkey start to drum hard to my left. His drumming confirmed for me that he had zoned in on my position. As I got down slowly not to make a sound I heard him drum again but a little closer. He was still hard left of me but I could tell that he had headed to my right. I softly scratched in the leaves and heard him drum again as I sat tight. A few minutes went by while all I could hear was my own nervous breathing.
Yelping softly I heard a stick break followed by a loud drum of the turkey 45 yards in front of me. The ever-brightening sun brought an intensity to the still, clear and breathtaking, beautiful morning. The sky was intense blue and cloudless. Trying to draw him out of the swag and onto the ridge, I turned my head to yelp to imitate the sound of a hen walking away from him. After I yelped, I cut my eyes for a quick glance.
Through a break in the brush, a head popped into view about 30 yards out. Busted! He strutted to the right and took cover behind a tree, which gave me the opportunity to turn my head back and get it down on my gun. When he stepped out from behind the tree, it was all over. I turned it over to the twelve gauge and rolled him backwards down the hill. The first bird of the year was in the bag – a solid three year old with a nice 10 ½ inch beard and 1 1/8 spurs. What a sweet release! After years of hunting I am still awed by the spectacle of strutting and drumming that unfolds on opening weekend.