I shot this bird on Monday at 7:45am after over an hour of gobbling. I knew at least 2 birds were roosting in the area from hearing the gobbles opening morning. I got closer to the roost monday morning and at 6:20 am they gobbled at an owl hooting. I sat down and got ready expecting it to be a quick hunt. I called two soft yelps that got quick gobbles back. After probably 30 gobbles i saw the two birds fly from the roost about 100 yards away. They continued gobbling at every sound made while walking farther away. Every call i made they cut me off but just wouldn't come in. Around 7:15 i heard a hen start yelping at the gobbles which caused more turkey activity then i have ever witnessed. She yelped they gobbled every 2 minutes. They finally started back my way talking up a storm. I watched them walk by me at 80 yards with the hen yelping away being followed by 4 gobblers. I knew i had nothing to lose as they contined walking away so i grabbed my box call and yelped as loud as i could. The hen immediately cut me off and we began arguing loudly with yelps. She then ran straight to me and stopped 15 feet in front of me looking and yelping. While trying to control the shakes i heard crashing through the leafs and the 4 toms were trotting behind her strutting, gobbling and sparring each other after what felt like an eternity which was only actually 2-3 minutes one of the strutters finally cleared some trees and presented a 40 yard shot. I placed the red dot on his bright white head and let the 5 shot turkey load fly. The shot knocked him down but he tried to run off luckily i wasnt far behind him and the second shot laid him out. He weighed 20lbs had an 11in beard with 1 1/8 spurs. Best morning ever in the turkey woods.
