Here in Iowa we have been blessed with a windy cold spring. Temps have been like a yo-yo with more down than up and windy too. Did I mention the wind?
Tuesday, I purchased a tag for 4th season turkey, which started on Wednesday. Wednesday morning found me sitting on the ground pad of my turkey vest, tucked into the edge of a public field. The DNR has just been out on the previous Monday and planted a few hundred tree seedlings in rows all across this field. Along with Tuesday's rain, I figured the fresh turned earth would be a draw to any local birds.
Yep, right early Wednesday morning a hen came into visit. She poked and fed for about 20 minutes before she moseyed back into the timber. I did see other turkeys, just nothing any closer than 300 yards. After a few hours my hip was giving me a lot of pain from the continued sitting. Due to the pain, it was a difficult walk back to my boat (1/4 mile away) so I could motor back to the ramp and my truck.
Thursday morning, I motored down to my hunting spot but this time I packed my enclosed blind along with me. Saw a few birds, but nothing had any interest in coming closer, to check out my decoys. Around 10AM my hip was beginning to ache again. No amount of shifting or squirming, gave me any relief. So I left my blind where it was and called it a day. Got home, just before the rain showers started. Which was fine by me, my hip needed a rest.
Friday morning it was still raining. Around 10:30 there was a break in the rain and I pondered heading out. Yep, I'll go, just need to put the new boat stickers on (they expire April 30th) before I go. Good thing I decided to take the time for the stickers, soon as that was done, it started raining again. Just as well, I needed to make a run to the vet for supplies and my hip joint was still throbbing.
Saturday, (today) I had hoped to take my Grandson out, but the forecast was for rain on/off all day. So canceled plans with him. Even so, I woke up at 3:45 to a steady rain. Around 5:30AM, I checked the radar and it looked like an open window between 6AM to 9:30AM. Bingo, I'm out the door and headed down river.
Not too bad out now actually. Hearing a lot of ducks and geese moving around. One pair of geese even made a low pass over my turkey decoys, looking like they were going to land right in front of me. I called and clucked occasionally with no response, still it was nice to be out. My hip was tolerable, and the wind had subsided to around 10mph. I was checking the radar on my phone when I heard a "cluck", a real close cluck.
Looked out and what do I see but 3 Jakes walking around in front of the blind. What the heck, where did they come from and how did they get where they were, with out me seeing them?????? No time to ask questions, as now they are walking away from me. Lay the phone down, pick up the gun and boom. One Jake down and kicking. The other two hang around, trying to figure out what the fuss is all about.
Life is good and I am a happy hunter.
Take care, Huntindave McCann
SHELL ROCK IA. ,,,,,, "As sailors grow older, the wiser ones move to smaller boats." Thomas Firth Jones, Multihull Voyaging
Tuesday, I purchased a tag for 4th season turkey, which started on Wednesday. Wednesday morning found me sitting on the ground pad of my turkey vest, tucked into the edge of a public field. The DNR has just been out on the previous Monday and planted a few hundred tree seedlings in rows all across this field. Along with Tuesday's rain, I figured the fresh turned earth would be a draw to any local birds.
Yep, right early Wednesday morning a hen came into visit. She poked and fed for about 20 minutes before she moseyed back into the timber. I did see other turkeys, just nothing any closer than 300 yards. After a few hours my hip was giving me a lot of pain from the continued sitting. Due to the pain, it was a difficult walk back to my boat (1/4 mile away) so I could motor back to the ramp and my truck.
Thursday morning, I motored down to my hunting spot but this time I packed my enclosed blind along with me. Saw a few birds, but nothing had any interest in coming closer, to check out my decoys. Around 10AM my hip was beginning to ache again. No amount of shifting or squirming, gave me any relief. So I left my blind where it was and called it a day. Got home, just before the rain showers started. Which was fine by me, my hip needed a rest.
Friday morning it was still raining. Around 10:30 there was a break in the rain and I pondered heading out. Yep, I'll go, just need to put the new boat stickers on (they expire April 30th) before I go. Good thing I decided to take the time for the stickers, soon as that was done, it started raining again. Just as well, I needed to make a run to the vet for supplies and my hip joint was still throbbing.
Saturday, (today) I had hoped to take my Grandson out, but the forecast was for rain on/off all day. So canceled plans with him. Even so, I woke up at 3:45 to a steady rain. Around 5:30AM, I checked the radar and it looked like an open window between 6AM to 9:30AM. Bingo, I'm out the door and headed down river.
Not too bad out now actually. Hearing a lot of ducks and geese moving around. One pair of geese even made a low pass over my turkey decoys, looking like they were going to land right in front of me. I called and clucked occasionally with no response, still it was nice to be out. My hip was tolerable, and the wind had subsided to around 10mph. I was checking the radar on my phone when I heard a "cluck", a real close cluck.
Looked out and what do I see but 3 Jakes walking around in front of the blind. What the heck, where did they come from and how did they get where they were, with out me seeing them?????? No time to ask questions, as now they are walking away from me. Lay the phone down, pick up the gun and boom. One Jake down and kicking. The other two hang around, trying to figure out what the fuss is all about.
Life is good and I am a happy hunter.
Take care, Huntindave McCann
SHELL ROCK IA. ,,,,,, "As sailors grow older, the wiser ones move to smaller boats." Thomas Firth Jones, Multihull Voyaging 
