Another season comes to a close.....

[ril7572]

.....and the depression sets in. Even though I'm tired and worn out I always hate to see the season close. It's been a great one to remember. Highlights include

A good trip south to Mississippi to get the season started

Kentucky youth season at WBBP's. Hunting all day with P.Beyer and his son Austin was great. Watching Austin shoot his first bird was the icing on the cake:D

Several good hunts in Tennessee.

Some great hunts here in Kentucky with alot of good folks. Hunted with forum members P.Beyer, Lablover, Skindog, Cornbread, and CEOhunter. All are great guys, and great hunters met through this forum.

Hunted with one of my best hunting buddys from years past, he's missed alot of hunting the past few years serving our country in the military.

My final thoughts on turkey season are best described in a book called the Tenth Legion, by tom Kelly. Those of you that are turkey crazy will appreciate this.

The first turkey that ever came to me on the ground did it a long time ago. I sat there with my hand shaking and my breath short and my heart hammering so hard I could not understand why he could not hear it. The last turkey that came to me last spring had exactly the same effect, and the day that this does not happen to me is the day I quit. The last one that ever does come to me will call forth the same emotion that the second one did.
I will sit there waiting, gun up and heart thundering, and say to myself what I have said on every single occasion since the second one...I'm glad I lived to see it--one more time.

[Hammer]

I can relate! Nice passage too.

We don't live too far away; I'd like to meet you some day. Thanks for all the posts and pictures!

[turk2di]

.....and the depression sets in. Even though I'm tired and worn out I always hate to see the season close. It's been a great one to remember. Highlights include

A good trip south to Mississippi to get the season started

Kentucky youth season at WBBP's. Hunting all day with P.Beyer and his son Austin was great. Watching Austin shoot his first bird was the icing on the cake:D

Several good hunts in Tennessee.

Some great hunts here in Kentucky with alot of good folks. Hunted with forum members P.Beyer, Lablover, Skindog, Cornbread, and CEOhunter. All are great guys, and great hunters met through this forum.

Hunted with one of my best hunting buddys from years past, he's missed alot of hunting the past few years serving our country in the military.

My final thoughts on turkey season are best described in a book called the Tenth Legion, by tom Kelly. Those of you that are turkey crazy will appreciate this.

The first turkey that ever came to me on the ground did it a long time ago. I sat there with my hand shaking and my breath short and my heart hammering so hard I could not understand why he could not hear it. The last turkey that came to me last spring had exactly the same effect, and the day that this does not happen to me is the day I quit. The last one that ever does come to me will call forth the same emotion that the second one did.
I will sit there waiting, gun up and heart thundering, and say to myself what I have said on every single occasion since the second one...I'm glad I lived to see it--one more time.
Love that book. Read it EVERY spring. Im with ya;)

[CPA Hunter]

awesome quote

[P. Beyer]

Great post Mike, Thanks for the passage, very true!!!

Sad it's over, but I had a great season. Hunted with an old friend whom I hadn't seen in a few years, took a few guys on their first hunts. I really wore myself down this year, 11 or 12 days of 2:45 Am wake-ups, but ALL 100% worth it.

[ril7572]

Love that book. Read it EVERY spring. Im with ya;) That doesn't surprise me;)

[skin_dog1]

Great post mike! This season was one to remember for me also. I was able to start the season off by attempting to put a bird in the lap of WBBP's middle son. He was a great hunting partner, but I didn't quit seal the deal. Maybe next year. The second day of the youth season found me chasing birds with Timp1 and his son. We had a good hunt and had some good gobblin action, but couldn't quit get them to cooperate. After the regular season began I was able to bag a nice double beard opening day and share in the celebration with lablover, who was hunting close by. I was able to call a bird in for good friend and business partner, cornbread. I also had the pleasure of hunting with forum members creekdawg and Hammer. Both great guys and great turkey hunters. I'll never forget the hunt I had with ril7572 and lablover! God what a morning! I also introduced my bro-in-law(who lurks around here as bglawdawg but never post) to turkey hunting. We had the most gobblin action in that morning than I've had all season, but couldn't work it out to kill one. All in all I saw 4 birds fall and nearly a 5th, including the 2 I got. Not bad considering I only hunted about 7 days including a terrible day at Ft. Campbell. I can't wait til next year. I wil hopefully tag my first merriams and maybe even an eastern with a bow.

[ceohunter]

Yep, it was a tough season and I hunted harder than ever and enjoyed almost every minute of it. I was privelaged to hunt some of the best property that I have ever been on a couple of times this year. Just being in places like that and the good company was worth the trip!

Now it's time to head back out to the Sporting Clays range this summer...anyone ever wants to go, drop me a PM. I would love to get together an outing at Daviess County Gun Club for those that might be interested.

[lab]

Mike that passage is one of the best that I have ever read. The day that those feelings leave is the day that I will leave this world and go on to a better one. My season too started with timp1 and his son at WBBP's. After an early morning miss and a mid day longbeard that would not break that 40 yard mark, I had a feeling that the youth season was showing me that this season would be one to remember. Boy was I right. I took a nice two year old opening morning that I got to share with skin_dog after a short drive. I also got to call in some birds for my girlfriend who rolled one of the four jakes that came in. Then on to my hunt with ril7572 and skin_dog. Words will never describe that hunt. Two birds on the ground by 7:00. Need I say anything more? The last bird that I saw hit the ground fell victim to one of my best friend's. This was by the way his first bird ever. You can imagine the excitement. I huted two other times without bagging a bird, but after a season like I have had, who cares. Thanks guys for all of the pics and stories. It will be a long wait till nest season.

[SixPack07]

Great post! My season up here didn't even last 3 days, so I've been hurting for about 3 weeks now already, just waiting for the fall season. Nice to listen to all of your stories though!

[turk2di]

That doesn't surprise me;)
Here is the book put out by my mentor. His book & philosphy molded my turkey hunting. While i love the way Tom Kelly puts things into words, his book falls short of the campfire delivery style of writing of Dwain Bland. The guy has played with more turkeys thjan many of us will ever work. Still tickin at nearly 80, could probally still outwalk many of us;) Hunted with him in 92(fall) at his Western Oklahoma lease and bagged a Rio. Hell, my closet is stacked nearly waist high in books;) Here is a couple pics(my camera made it home last nite) of the book and a note from him. Too bad the Company that printed this book went bankrupt years ago, no more printing.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/282450.JPG
http://www.hunt101.com/img/282451.JPG

[mcdenney]

Anybody know where I could purchase Tom Kelly's book? I saw a show on him this winter on Turkey Call with Rob Keck and it really warmed the soul. I would like to purchase a few copies. If anybody has any information I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[ril7572]

Anybody know where I could purchase Tom Kelly's book? I saw a show on him this winter on Turkey Call with Rob Keck and it really warmed the soul. I would like to purchase a few copies. If anybody has any information I would appreciate it. Thanks.

http://www.tomkellyinc.net/

[Gobblergetter2.1]

I had a great spring harvesting my 2 first birds. Now this summer i guess i will be trying to get to shoot some sporting clays with david green and i will be doing some dove hunting when season comes in. I know the squirrels are gonna be in trouble, and i have some ytoes that need to be curred. This summer will be full, but it will be over in a flash. I saw Tom Kelly for the first time on a hunting across the country show, and i enjoyed him from the start. He seems like a nice man, and a great hunter!

[mcdenney]

Thanks for the link.