Afternoon Tom, Hardwood bush bird

[Toolman13]

Went for a nice slow walk through a hardwood bush close to home. After kicking up 3 deer, I decided to just have a seat and enjoy the afternoon. I sat for about 20 minutes when I heard a distant gobble. I made one loud call on my box call and the Tom responded, nice! After a little bit of calling back and forth on a pot (or slate) call, I finally seen a bird making his way through the hardwoods towards me. There was a hen with him that just kept calling to him. Very loud to I might add. I never called anymore figuring I will just let him find me. The Tom with the hen in tow took about 30 minutes to circle around me at the base of the tree. He came out to my right at about 30 yards.
So I shot him and texted my wife to bring my boys over to share in the fun.

[Toolman13]

My other boy with the Turkey

[rayray89]

Sweeeet! Nice photos

[Chevy]

Nice ! Congrats

[Chad]

What a great day! Congrats!

[Smilee]

Wonderful way to spend a day!! And be successful taboot!! Congrats !!🙂

[nuzpaper]

Nice!

[Hunt&Fish]

Nice Tom!

Are you guys finding the birds to be staying in the bush more than in the open this year? I am. Thanks

[Toolman13]

I would say so yes. I haven't seen as many birds in my hunting areas using the open fields?

[sabmgb]

great hunt and nice bird. I never have any luck in the afternoon. WTG.

For seeing birds in the field, I hunted 3 days over a field and saw and took a jake on 1 day and nothing the other. Hunted in the bush 1 day and saw 2 Toms, 1 didn't get away.

[Summer679]

Congratulations. That's awesome and great to have the kids share in your success. Nice gun BTW. I use the same one 😊
J

[Disco]

Both my Toms I shot were in fields. 1 came in while I was in prone position waiting and one was in full Strut when I got to my hunting spot. I also was in a viewing position to watch my buddies Dad take a Tom in a field that came to our calls.
I would say the bush hunts seem better on cold day but the few sunny hot days the birds want to be in the fields Strutting.

[Fishnhunt]

Congratulations on a nice bird and a great report.
My son and I got our birds in the bush but only because we rarely hunt fields. I find the birds come better to a call when you hunt inside.

[Sprat]

Great report, nice birdie