It was an odd turkey opener. I awoke to a layer of snow coating the field, leaving me wondering what would happen with my nicely patterned birds.
I hunt a family farm near Owen Sound with a healthy population of turkeys and a mix of fields and woods. On opening morning I hid amongst planted pines on the field edge and shortly before daylight let out a few soft tree calls that were met by a thunderous gobble. As daylight crept in, the tom’s gobbling increased. I made a few subtle calls, reminding him I was here, before quieting down at daybreak.
A Crowd from the Trees
Within minutes of legal shooting time, massive wing beats erupted above my head, as several birds settled within 10 yards of me. I watched birds pile in until more than 20 were on the ground. I sat stock-still, scared to breathe, with 40-plus watchful eyes nearby. A loud gobble helped me pinpoint the big tom, strutting right in front of me.