Blake's opening day bird

[NonTyp]

I took my oldest son, Blake age 9,and my daughter, Kristen age 12, out this weekend hoping to get a double on some birds. Blake won the draw of first shooter but both we were wanting a double. The morning hunt resulted in more deer sightings than turkey but we had a great hunt. Sat. afternoon we sat up in the woods where we heard some birds gobbling that morning. Shortly after getting set up we had a bird answer our calls and when he showed up he had a buddy. They came to about 60 yrds and just stopped and began to go back the way they came. I was confused why they left but was wishing I had that strutting decoy in the blind with us and did after they left. Later another bird answered and came the same way as the others. He strutted every step to the lone hen decoy till Blake shot him in the face! He handled his gun like a pro. He followed the bird's head, moved the gun past the brace in the blind and waited for the green light to shoot. The shot was just about 15 yrds and he killed him stone dead! I am proud of my kids!:)
22 lbs, 9 1/4" beard, 5/8 spur
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o304/KyHunterBilly/DSC03531.jpg

[BRADM]

Congrats to Blake and dad for taking him! :D:D

[philipfleek]

Nice. Congrats to the little feller!

[nwest]

Congrats! Nothing like takin kids hunting

[kybowhunter90]

Congrats on the bird.

[barney]

Way to go Blake!

[WhiteRubi]

Congrats Billy and Blake the snake. Sounds like you all had a ball. :D

[skin_dog1]

Way to go Blake! Congrats to both of you.

[CHL]

That's awesome! He looks happy as a lark!

[Racer1]

Congrats Blake and good luck to Kristen in the regular season...I know you are proud Dad I look forward to those days!

[lab]

Good job Blake. Way to get one up on ole dad!

[mcdenney]

Way to go! Congratulations on a beautiful long beard!:D

[BluegrassBuckHunter]

Nice bird Blake! Congrats!

[predator]

Blake, I been busy and just saw this. Dagone it!! :) You have killed a nice one, I'm really going to have to work to kill one bigger. :cool: Just like your Dad does to me in Iowa, you are going to do to me turkey hunting! Oh well, at least I got duck hunting and "noodling".
Congrats and keep up the good work.

[buckfever]

They came to about 60 yrds and just stopped and began to go back the way they came. I was confused why they left but was wishing I had that strutting decoy in the blind with us and did after they left. Later another bird answered and came the same way as the others. He strutted every step to the lone hen decoy till Blake shot him in the face! He handled his gun like a pro. He followed the bird's head, moved the gun past the brace in the blind and waited for the green light to shoot. The shot was just about 15 yrds and he killed him stone dead! I am proud of my kids!:)
22 lbs, 9 1/4" beard, 5/8 spurs.

Great story, B, and congrats to your son, Blake. Now, you can put your daughter on opening day of the regular season.

Like your experience, I've seen several toms hang up and then leave when confronted with a strutting tom decoy. IMO, pretty boy decoys can work like magic or really screw up a set.

Heck, I had a jake decoy out with Tex's son, Cody, on Saturday. Because I was concerned that even a jake decoy might thwart some toms that might otherwise come in, I belly-crawled out to the spread and pulled it in. Cody's story and bird sounded almost identical to Blake's. Great job. :D

[7mmx2]

Good looking bird.

Congrats to the young'n