Yesterday we started out before day break and I headed for one of Henry's condos in the bottom land. Henry was a couple hundred yards away. I sat in that box all day long and the only deer I saw were the ones on the highway driving down and back. Last time I went I hit a doe on the 295 beltway around Richmond on the way home. Nothing was left on my front bumper except a small greasy spot.
Anyway, back to the story. From daybreak until around 11 I saw absolutely nothing save a few fat squirrels and a couple of birds. Henry and I met back at the road and chatted for a few minutes. He went to eat and I headed back to the box. Around 1 PM the turkeys started clucking. About 1:30 I saw several cross the trail about 80 yards away. A few minutes later they walked back across. A few minutes after that they started coming down the trail towards my stand. [Note for Rick: I would post pictures of the nice turkeys but I just got a message that says: Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached...oops] I got a couple of pics and they headed the other direction when one saw me fiddling with the camera. One walked up about 10 yards from the stand. A few minutes later they started clucking again and then appeared on the trail on the other side of the stand. They ate heartily from Henry's food plot (planted for the deer of course) and left once they had their fill. (a couple hours later and still no deer. I know there are deer all over those woods as I've seen the sign and heard shots ALL DAY LONG). The deer were probably running back and forth in the other direction while I was admiring turkeys.
Anyway, once it got too dark to see through my scope I packed up. I started walking down the trail and kicked up a turkey. What a commotion. After I recovered I took another step and kicked up another turkey. And another. There were several roosting in the trees along the trail. I'm surprised they could manage to fly up there after gorging themselves on "deer food." What an exciting day. If I had been hunting turkeys I'd still be cleaning them rather than writing this. Btw, the last time I went deer hunting with Henry I also saw more live turkeys than you'll find dead ones in all the supermarkets in Springfield right now. Based on my deer hunting luck so far this year I think I might change my name to "turkey" but skunk probably fits better...
Henry says those are deer tracks at the end of the food plot. I looked and those aren't deer tracks. So many turkeys and squirrels have traipsed through there eating the goodies that they just look like deer tracks...
Once Rick clears the "board attachment quota" perhaps I'll post pics of the turkeys I restrained myself from shooting. At any rate, it was good to see Henry, Sherry, and Casey again and get in the woods. There is absolutely nothing that beats time with good friends and a day in the woods - even if you don't see what you're hoping to tag. Deer hunting is like playing the lottery. If ya dont play ya cant win. Next time...
Hope you and Young have a nice and safe trip .
