I got this one in Sumter County opening weekend @ 10:15.



Here is the story

Be prepared this is a roller coaster of a story. We start out as usual, me and a buddy make the 15 minute walk from he camp to the back lake. We get there a little early, and prepare for daybreak, after 20 minutes we have only heard one distant gobble, which we thought was on the edge of the property, but its all we had to work with so we slip towards the bird, picking up a nice shed on the way. I get settled in and my buddy is 100 yards to my north, I'm getting my Lynch's fool proof out when a shotgun blast from the other side of the property line breaks the cool morning air. Neighbor got him one. Me and my buddy both stand up and regroup. We haven't heard anything else so we decide to move to the middle of the property, back towards the road. We split up and I begin the walk. Ten minutes later I hear a four wheeler coming and a dog barking. I shake my head knowing whoever it is just drove right through the middle of the property. Its a friend of my aunts who came over to fix a leaking water line and he's out "looking for hogs" ??? Didn't know we were back there. My buddy cuts him off and turns him around. We re-group for a second time, and by now its close to 8 o'clock. My buddy says he's done, and is going to do some fishing. I decide to do some scouting/calling, instead of going back to the truck. I make a big circle over the next hour, with nothing, I'm coming around the final bend of my walk and only have one hardwood bottom left between me and the camp house, which is where we left from at 6 o'clock. It's 9 o'clock and pull out the slate call and make a few calls. I instantly hear a muffled gobble that's between me and the camp. I quickly cut the distance in half and find a big oak. As soon as I stop to sit, he hammers again. I get ready anticipating a quick hunt and instead get silence. For 25 minutes nothing. We both are silent, but I make the first move, I pull out the box call and make a soft yelp. Nothing for 5 more minutes, were both dead silent, then bam, he hammers again. He continues to gobble every three or four minutes, but not getting any closer. I see a big oak on the edge of a small thicket that he's on the other side of. Its about 40 yards ahead of me. I tell my self if he gobbles and hasn't moved. I'm going to yelp and quickly slip towards the big oak. He gobbles again and I quickly make the move. As soon as I sit he gobbles again, but he's closer. I get prepared with the bead pointed right at his direction. Five minutes later I hear foot steps, then his blue head at 35 yards, easing my way, I fire at 30 yards and drop him. The crazy hunt ends in success, I was unusually, not upset!!! when the hunt was falling apart at 7:30. Needless to say it was a memorable hunt and my best turkey to date.