Listen.........Did you hear that?

WHISPER!   shhhhh, ya.  Where did it come from?  Shhhhh, I can't tell.  Whataya mean you can't tell???  shhhh, listen...  That is why I would rather Spring gobbler hunt by myself!  There is nothing worse than not being able to move or talk unless the MAN gives the command.  Giving orders and commands to me is not the wisest thing to do.  I get rather P.O. , right now.  I'm sure I can not count the number of times I have stomped off.  I am by far no expert on hunting or  other topics, I just don't like to be told what to do and gobbler hunting ranks to the top of leave me alone.  A couple times I had to show the MAN where I missed or shot the turkey.  He wants the whole story on where I was, the turkey, how long I waited for it to come in, what call did I use, etc.  My stories are rather unconventional.  If anything my hunting skills prove knowledge and perfection aren't always necessary to get the bird.  This probably is very upsetting to the hunters that are well schooled and equipped with the best hunting gear to be had.  Oh well, I have fun taking my thermos and snacks to sit in one spot for a few hours.  Just me, the great outdoors and the wild critters.  This year there will be no shotgun, just my camera and turkey calls.  Not the mouth calls, they make me gag so I use slate, easy yelps and box calls.  They work!  In fact when the "big boy gobblers" are ready to "sow their wild oats"  just about any noise will make them gobble.  It's all about patience and waiting them out.  April is an exciting month around Cook'n by the Creek.  The streams are getting stocked with trout for the opening day, usually the second Saturday.  We are out listening for the almighty gobbler.  One thing is for sure, every morning just about daylight and evening just about dark we hear the hoot owl.  That is our grandson hooting.  Gobblers always gobble back when they hear an owl so it's a given there is a lot of hooting going on around here.

Box call on the left and the owl hooter on the right.  Time to start practicing!

Between fishing and turkey hunting leeks will be dug during April.  Once the little tops peek through the ground and the days get warmer they grow fast.  Usually a 2 week window for the young tender ones.  Fresh leeks and ham dinner will be fixed from the first dig.  The ham is baked in the oven until fall apart tender.  I put the bone and a little of the meat in a pot with water, bring it to a boil and add the cleaned leeks.  We like them just wilted.  Add whipped potatoes and homemade bread for a delicious, waited all year, fill them up dinner.  Everyone likes leek sandwiches which is no more than homemade bread, raw leeks, real butter, salt and pepper.   I'm getting anxious just thinking about it.  Remember if everyone in the family eats them (one leek will do the trick)  you all stink and nobody has to complain of the nasty smell.  If you like leeks but not the digging, cleaning and cooking there are plenty of leek dinners put on by local clubs.

This poem describes Spring Gobbler Season and how I feel hunting them.

The Gobbler Hunt

Leaning back against the tree 
As you sit upon the ground 
Being so careful to be still 
Trying hard to make no sound 

The beauty of nature 
Takes your breath away 
You feel like you are a part of it 
And you wish this was where you could always stay 

As you sit there patiently 
You double-check your gear 
And give a few yelps on your call 
And then be still and wait to hear 

In the distance, you hear him gobble 
And your blood starts pumping 
You hear him coming toward you 
Your heart is madly thumping 

You wait until you see him 
Strutting proudly into the clearing 
You can hardly keep yourself in check 
As closer he is nearing 

And when the time is perfect 
And you have him in your sight 
You take your shot and say a prayer 
As the bullet takes its flight 

Your mark is true, the proud one falls, and 
You rise and walk to where he rests 
You bow your head and give thanks 
For the gift with which you have been blessed 

By: Leslie Ely