Jr. Success

[Coach]

Been a little tricky of a Jr. hunt this year. Got close once last weekend in 1 with a jake hanging around some hens, but generally hearing a few gobbles on the roost then nothing. I took my oldest boy, Matt out again this morning to an area we heard a lot of birds in opening weekend but couldn't get them to come to us. This morning it was looking really good. Several birds were gobbling very aggressively on the roost and well into the morning. I thought for sure they were going to come right in. No such luck, they actually started moving away as the morning wore on, so we left the blind and started going after them. We were able to get a glimpse of the birds higher up toward where they were roosting working up a little knoll, so the race was on. If we couldn't get them to come to us, we'd have to get in front of them.

 

We looped around them and crested over the hilltop we had seen them heading toward. Inching forward, Matt caught a movement ahead and saw that big red head and beard. He clicked the safety off and took a couple steps to his right and as the bird stepped out only 15 yards away he let the old Mossberg loose and it was all over for the gobbler.

 

Thanks to all the CWT members who have been really supportive with suggestions for the youth hunt - still have one more to go. Nick was just too tired after a full day of baseball to go out this morning, but we've got until May 20, so I'm sure we'll get him a good crack at a bird.

 

Up on top of the hill, minutes after the shot (taken with a cell phone)

 

Down the hill where I left my camera when we went after them:

 

Here's a cool snake we found on the S. side of 3c right in the road. Played with him a little and moved him to a safer spot. I think it's a gopher snake - (bull snake??, corn snake???) Anyway it was a really good tempered snake, and seemed a little glad we kept him from getting squished on the Pinedale road.

[standman]

Congrats Matt on a great tom!!! Beautiful Bird!!!

 

The snake thing though freaks me out.

 

Brian

[ehunt]

Great job buddy!!

[azhuntnut]

Thats pretty cool. Sounds like our hunt this weekend, but we couldn't quite get in front of them. David

[Coach]

Congrats Matt on a great tom!!! Beautiful Bird!!!

 

The snake thing though freaks me out.

 

Brian

 

 

Thanks Brian,

Matt is really good with animals, and very "hands-on". Somehow they know to trust him. This snake barely missed getting run over by a car coming from the opposite direction. Matt cooled him down really well and pulled him up by the tail giving him support (snakes hate to dangle), and the snake went from being agressive/defensive to really docile and almost "clingy". It was a really cool break at a point when the hunting got slow.

 

Thanks again for your pointers. With some luck we'll get Nick on a bird in the next couple of weeks. He's definately spoiled since last year we went out one afternoon after school and within 15 minutes of his first ever turkey setup, he had a strutting tom 25 yards away from the blind, and made a good shot on his first turkey. He likes to hunt, but is more focused on sports - especially baseball. For some reason all of his hunts so far have been, well, easier than normal. Not sure what it is about that kid, but it seems whenever we go out looking for something it just shows up and makes his old man sound silly talking about how hard it "can be". LOL. I sure do hope I can get him on a bird this spring just to keep it fun for him.

 

 

 

[bonecollector]

Congrats to your boy on a nice bird. Not sure about the snake thing!

[cactusjack]

Congrats on the bird. I like seeing the boys with the snakes. I try to get people to like and understand snakes also. Nice job.

 

Steve

[tjhunt2]

Congratulations on your hunt so far and thanks for sharing.

 

TJ

[Lance]

Awesome!!! Way to go!

 

[willhunt4coues]

Congrats Matt on a great bird and to you too Dad for making it happen.

[CouesWhitetail]

Yes, the snake is a gopher/bull snake. They are not poisonous but can act very aggressive when cornered. Very cool that your boy "won over" the snake! And congratulations on a great bird!!

 

Amanda

 

[Coach]

Thanks to all of you for your positive responses. I'll keep trying to get Nick out there, but man, the weather has been nasty up here. Super windy, and even snow the last couple days. Good luck to all you youth hunters. I hope you get a turkey. Be sure to carry a camera and take some pictures to post on CWT!