Turkey

It has been awhile since I've put something on the dinner plate from the field.  Two or three turkey seasons I think (spring & fall), 2 deer seasons anyway....  It was a tough decision in the field.  I didn't think much of this turkey as it walked in.  I heard it coming and kept my gun pointed safely down.  It thought nothing of my decoys, but I can't help but think that it was my spectacular calling which drew it in, along with it 2 other buddies.

At any rate, I am far from being a selective trophy hunter; only going after the biggest.  So getting these smaller provisions under my belt is a good stepping stone in my hunting career.  I saw the beard on it.  I thought it over for another few seconds.  I raised my gun and unsafetied it.

The turkey was 25, maybe 30 yards away.  It was walking away from me up an incline.  My trusty sidekick Jeff would be waiting eagerly on top of the ridge to remedy any missed shot.  There would be no need.  Despite the smaller target, meaning a more exact shot of course, the turkey slumped to the ground after the thunderous crack of the shotgun.  Its wing fluttered one last time.

When it was all said and done, Jeff and I took the breast meat.  My other buddy Larry took the legs and thighs to cook up in a stew or turkey pies.  Small or not, nothing really went to waste.  Jeff also kept the tail feathers - they are useful at school for painting...