I think most of you, who read this blog regularly, know that I am fairly new to turkey hunting and have yet to kill my first bird. I have only been actively hunting these wary birds for the last couple of years, and even after two years I am still learning. The evidence of that was in full force last night.

After some thought, and not being able to hunt in the mornings at all this week, I figured I would setup on a travel route that I know the birds use to head back to their roost. I got in a little later then I wanted because of a variety of things, and because of that I decided not to use my pop-up blind. That was my first mistake.

I picked a good tree in the area, that has some good natural cover around it, and got settled in. I fired up the Thermacell and waited for what the evening had in store. I wasn’t expecting any birds until after 7, because after hunting here the previous couple of years, they hadn’t shown up until after then. I also had evidence on the trailcam a week ago that backed up my theory as well. My second mistake.

I’m sitting on the ground, admiring the surroundings, and really appreciating how well these little Thermacell devices work (no I’m not advertising or receiving any compensation-I’m just simply telling the truth) when I catch some movement off to my left. There, just inside the woodlot, is this single tom trying to make his way through the brush. I already had my gun up in the ready position, but I needed to bring up the stock of the gun just a touch in order to get comfortable for the shot. I moved that gun about 2 inches and this little bugger picked me off through the brush and everything at 30yds. I could not believe it. I was so suddle and careful and yet this wide-eyed little booger picked me off. No whitetail in history would have seen my movement, but turkeys my friends, are a different story.

The encounter only lasted about 30 seconds and he scurried his way back down the hill and out of sight. I was almost sick. To think after two years and all this work, and in one little movement, I blew my first real good chance. They are some sharp-eyed birds that is for sure.

So next time I’m taking the pop-up blind and setting up in the same spot. Hopefully the blind will help shelter my movements and Mr. tom will take the same route. They may be goofy looking, but they’re definitely not stupid or blind.

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