Dave came out late Friday and planned to hunt until noon on Saturday. Unfortunately, he had his boy's baseball equipment in his truck and had to be back in Wheelersburg by 9:30. It was a little touch and go with the rain but we got a couple of hours hunting in before he had to leave.
Unbeknown to us, this camera at the pond field showed gobblers strutting for the previous two mornings. I didn't get to the cameras until Saturday afternoon.
They put on quite a show and I had a hard time whittling down the photos for this post.
One of these two mature toms does not have a beard. I believe that I saw him last year.
On Saturday morning, Dave and I got a few gobblers to answer us shortly after sunrise. They weren't that close and they didn't come in.
It went quiet and we went for a walk around the property.
After I saw this activity on the cameras, I adjusted my strategy for Sunday.
Here I am on Sunday morning setting up.
My view out over the decoy. I went in for breakfast at 9:00 and when I came back out, the field was full of birds. I didn't have any luck trying to call one away from the pack.
On Saturday after Dave left, I hunted this blind without success.
The view out to the decoy.
On our walk, Dave and I spotted this funky tree.
We also picked up these two shed antlers that I sent home for Graham and Grant.
When I came in for lunch, the skies opened and this turkey walked right past the kitchen.
I spent the afternoon on the porch watching the rain and burning 15 year old bank statements. Easier than shredding.
Sunday morning started slow so I went for a walk. I spotted this beside one of the trails.
Morel mushrooms. Dave turned me on to these last year.
There were a few right at this tree base.
Joan and I had them for appetizers tonight.
Out for the walk.
Redbuds are near peak.
All over the property. Dogwoods a little behind.
The apples are blooming.
Crabapple.
The ant hills are starting to look active.
I transplanted this one to Mason years ago.
The deer are still around.
Cooler on Sunday morning.
I had a terrible time picking which strutting photos to include.
This is an odd bird - did it lose a fight?
So the rest of this post is just a bunch of the strut. I have 100 more just like these.
Hopefully I'll call one of these guys in eventually.
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