First Hunt

It was the 4th day of spring turkey season in Ohio and the birds were as hot as they have ever been this early in the season. I run a guide service here in Ohio and had what we call a "youth hunt" with a father and son on
their first turkey hunt.

We were up and out early and as the sun was just breaking in the new morning we heard a gobble boom out from a ridge top. This would be tough because the bird was on the other ridge with a creek in the bottom. I
let out a series of tree yelps and we heard not one but two birds answer from the same spot as we heard the first gobble. I let the clients know that this would be a hard call but that we should give it a try.

Setting up the father on my left and the son to my right, I began cutting hard which is what an excited hen will do when she is "ready and willing".  The birds were very hot and began to descend the hill into the valley.  I
decided we should move a little farther down the hill and while we were the birds let out a couple double gobbles.  We had no choice but to lay down in a small four wheeler path as they were very close.

Just as we laid down on our sides the birds gobbled again and they were very close now only about 15 yards ahead of us.  Now and then I could see the birds stretch their heads up to see where the hen they had heard
(us) was at.  I kept saying to the father and the boy to shoot as soon as they could see the birds but they were having trouble seeing them.  Then I saw the birds again and could tell they were ready to leave this hen as
something was not right and they were acting on edge.

Just then I heard the boy shoot and saw the other bird run off not letting the father get his shot off.  We were happy and taking pictures when the father called me to the side and said that he too had shot at the same time as his boy.  He showed me as he broke open his over&under and a shell came flying out. I was stunned to learn this but then the father said at that distance he knew that both he and his son could not miss and would be happy to let his son have this bird as his first without telling him of his own shot. I agreed but only if the father would tell his son sometime in the future and maybe after his next harvest of this fine game bird. The father agreed and said that was his plan all along.

I would say this father and son had a day they won't soon forget.  I can also say that with these type of hunts the future of our sport will be in good hands as we teach our youths the joy and wonders of the great outdoors and hunting. What a morning and what a hunt!  We here in Ohio are blessed with a great gamebird that will bring many a father and son closer to enjoy the great outdoors.

Clyde J. Burrie Jr. is president of BEARDBUSTER GUIDE SERVICE.  His service specializes in first time turkey hunts.  Visit his site at http://www.beardbuster.com .
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