The Horseshoe Turkey

[sandman]

Scouting started for this hunt easter weekend. My dad and I found some birds in an are we liked that we thought would have very little hunting pressure. We continued scouting for the next month and found some roosting areas. Opening morning was uneventful due to high winds and a lack of gobbles. That evening while walking around trying to roost some turkeys for the morning I found the smallest horseshoe I have ever seen. I didn't think it could actually be used for a horse so it must have been made for good luck. So i picked it up and put it in my pocket. Shortly after that we roosted a turkey, things were already looking up. The next morning my mom, dad and I walked into a couple hundred yards from the roost and set up. After the birds flew down we began calling and we could tell the gobble was getting closer. About 5 minutes later I could see a big tom walking through the junipers. He came into about 30 yards and hung up directly behind a big juniper tree. I could not get a shot and had to wait as he strutted and gobbled right in front of me. About 15 minutes later he finally took a few more steps and I was able to get a clear shot through a small gap in the tree. He dropped right in his tracks. Now I knew the horseshoe was good luck! It was awesome being able to share this exciting moment with my mom and dad. That is what it is all about, exciting times with awesome family. The turkey had a 9 inch beard and will make a great turkey dinner this coming weekend.