A pair of jakes ... grow UP?

[brittman]

In 2012 we hunted a nice patch of woods. Jakes seemed common, but the gobblers never showed themselves (I thought maybe they kept themselves and their hens out of that fiasco).

On each of the three days we hunted this area a pair of jakes would start the morning across the gravel road in another woodlot maybe 1/2 mile away. Each day they would gooble on occassion and work themselves across a small grass field, over the road and into the 80 acre field in front of our woods. They would strut and even gobble a little in the field in front of us. They would enventually cross into the woods, but never come within range (I did not plan to shoot a jake). These two jakes also never seemed to want to join up with the other bands of jakes in the same woods. They must have had a broad sweeping path that eventually lead them back to the same roost each evening.

[brittman]

Season E opened under so called "ideal" turkey hunting weather. Clear sky, calm winds, and darn close to a new moon.

No time to scout this year, but no matter the small patch of woods and fields we had permission to hunt typically had birds on the property.

We walked in about a half mile in the darkness. No need for flashlights and settled into the corner where birds tend to funnel through. Some even roost in the corner so great care must be taken not to scare them ... couple years ago I had a tom land in my lap flying down off the roost.

As 5AM approached and passed, the woods we were in did not hold a gobbler. Oh gobblers could be heard to the east and many to the South, but most were across the gravel road and in woods maybe a 1/2 mile away-probably further.

About 6:15 or so we stood up and talk about the rest of the day. Time to get back to the truck and drive around scouting. Maybe work a bird - maybe just figure out where to be the next few days.

I gave one last call on my box call. Gobbler responds, but he is far to the South across the road. Call again and this time two respond and they are closer. We back into the woods, sit down and wait. The field in front of us has a large ridge in front of us. We cannot see the road, nor can we see half the field.

We take turns calling and continue to get responses. Gotta be two birds.

I scan the horizon and two birds are at the top of the hill. I whisper to my buddy no more calling. The birds mingle a minute or two, gobble once each .... we are quite, but they know exactly where those two "hens" were last heard.

All of a sudden they make a b-line right to our position. Not running, but at a good pace. I tell my buddy to shoot first, but wait until they are close ... shoot the one on your side. I say if you kill one do not get up .... stay seated.

Wait ... let 'em get closer. Remember take the shot when you have it, but shoot the bird in back.

BOOOOM. Bird down.

The front bird ducks and I can't see him. I stand up and he is not running away. Probably thinking about whipping his downed gobbler butt.

BOOM.

Our first double together. We often split up, but this was one for the books. Only regret was our season ended day 1 at 7AM.

These two two year old Toms crossed the gravel road and took the same path as the two jakes did the year before. Gobble at the top of the hill ....

SAME TWO TOMS ????? We will never know for sure, but it is sure fun to think so.

[monstermoose78]

Congrats!! On the double.

[DonBo]

Sweet! Love it when a plan works out.

[brittman]

No real plan other than starting Day 1 in the woods rather than on the road.

Unless those two Toms were running the same pattern that they ran as jakes - almost one year later to the day.

[Borch]

Congrats!

Sounds like it's possible. Makes a good story at any rate.