That's the sound that saved me and ruined him.
Started out opening morning without having done any scouting so I picked a likely spot and got out of the truck. As I was getting ready I hear gobbling already!!! As I was walking in to the bird I heard another two birds. I got set up on the original bird and there was actually two gobbling their fool heads off! I got set up and called but as soon as they hit the ground they shut up.
Meanwhile the two others were gobbling off and on so I slipped up the hill towards the most likely of the two and got set up in some pines with an opening in front of me. The bird was on the edge of a field about 100 yards off as evident by his occasional gobbles. But, of course when I sat down he stopped gobbling all together. So I set and called a bit, never an answer. I had 6 deer come up behind me and I was watching the deer when I hear drumming in front of me!!!
I turn slowly and there, right IN FRONT OF ME, is a strutting gobbler. He was about 30 yards away. He let out the softest gobble I've ever heard. I barely heard it!?!?!? I eased up my gun, pushed off the safety and pulled the trigger when he stepped out from behind some brush. Nothing. NADA
Reach down and push the safety off AGAIN and pull the trigger....NADA.....
Finally figuring out my folly I push the slide forward on the pump. The click brought the turks head straight up and I pulled the trigger a third and final time. CHERBOOM. 8:00 am, opening morning.
As I was sitting there beside my dead turkey enjoying the morning I heard two more birds gobbling, one pretty close. But, I had enough and walked back to my truck, busting two hens on the way and even heard yet another bird gobbling 100 yards from the truck.
The best part about my story is calling the bird with slate call my 6 yo Katie Bug made for me last year!
Fifth bird overall and my biggest probably. No weight but 11.25" beard, 1-1/8"ish and 1-1/4"ish spurs.
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