I had the most enjoyable hunt of my life this past weekend! Don't get me wrong, I've had some wonderful hunting trips: Deer hunting in Southern Iowa, Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota, and a previous Turkey hunting trip to Nebraska, but this one was special! Remember; it's not what your hunting, it's who you are hunting with! Both my sons (Hayden 6 & Hudson 4) were both with me and were able to watch several different birds up close from our blind with me and their grandpa.
We arrived at our cabin on Saturday evening and immediately headed out to the blind with my sons.
Our great host had turned several old water tanks into blinds, a cheap way to make a very roomy blind. Within 15 minutes we had three Toms' headed our way. I took a long shot because we had two tags and missed, but things would take a turn for the better in the morning.
Towards the right of the picture you can see the "tank" I would be sitting in. There were several birds roosted 50 yards away in some old Cottonwood trees. Right at first light there were gobbles all around and for the first time in my life I was able to watch several birds fly down from the roost.
Around 15 minutes after sun up 6-8 hens went streaming by my blind (around 5 yards away) and I was starting to think this was a girls' only party. But finally a Tom came struttin' by around 10 yards away and as soon as he poked his head from behind the tree it was game over!
My sons (and dad) were pumped! This was their first opportunity to come along for a Turkey hunt and they loved it! It's not just the hunting of-course that makes trips like this memorable.
Playing Monopoly, eating Oreo's for breakfast, tromping' around the woods with their dad and grandpa and seeing a different part of God's creation are all things that make this my favorite hunt of all time and I'm sure theirs as well. Just a little reminder: Don't lose your patience with your young hunters! You want this to be an enjoyable time for them so they will want to go out again! Plain for shorter times in the blind, bring snacks and things for them to do and don't forget to tell them how thankful you are they came with you.
I've already booked our trip for next year and will be counting down the days, starting today. After this trip.....I can honestly say I would rather call in a big Tom that shoot a nice buck with my bow......don't knock it until you try it!
Until next time, get out there and experience first hand that creation really is "declaring the Glory of God" and enjoy it with someone you love!
