After a fruitless morning we went driving around looking for turkeys. Rounding a corner we spotted turkeys off the side of the road sneaking into the woods. Quickly we assessed the birds and figured they were toms. Problem was, this was private land. Luck was smiling down on us as we hurried down the road and spied the farmer on his tracktor working the dusty field. After a brief exchange and a Pepsi-bribe we had secured permission to hunt his land.

We rushed across the open field and toward the strip of trees on the far side. Finding an old road we moved down it toward where we'd seen the toms and set up. Knowing turkeys like to travel and strut on old roads like this one we quickly placed the hen decoy and hid. Some soft yelps and clucks and a tom gobbled almost immediately back at us. As we watched in eager anticipation a white head suddenly creasted a dip in the road and peered our way. Then it dropped back out of site and a big gobbler appeared walking our way.

As he approached I preparred for Dave's shot. Then the bird did the unexpected and jumped off the road and started walking through the brush toward Dave. All I could do was watch as neither of us had a shot. The silly critter then walked out from behind a bush and started at the decoy. I watched in surprise as my hunting partner lowered his Browning from the ready position down along his side. Not knowing why I readied my pump as the bird came out into the open only about 20 yards away from me. Not one to pass up an opportunity I fired.

After walking to my prise I asked my friend why he hadn't shot. Turns out the bush was right in his way and he lost site of the bird once it left the road. I floated across the field as we made our way back to the truck, my first turkey slung over my shoulder.