Well, as you can see I shot my first Tom, and yes it was a spot on right in the head shot.
It was early Tuesday morning and Chris Crum went out with me to some property I hunt in Orange County. Chris has bagged his share of long beards, so he agreed to go along with me and help me out.
You see folks I bass fish, and when it’s turkey time it’s bass time, so I just have never made the time to turkey hunt although I always wanted to. This year I was committed to get it done.
We arrived before the sun came up and made a thirty minute walk to the side of the land that turkey’s had been reported. At just the right time, Chris hit the ole hoot call and….nothing. I always heard what was supposed to happen, but it was silent. He hit it again five minutes later and BAM, there he was and close. As we decided how we were going to hunt this bird, he just gobbled his head off.
Chris located what he thought would be a good spot to set up; we got in place, a little noisy but got in position. Bird still gobbling and I got all my mess ready and Chris hit ever so lightly on his call he said “Ed be still, I can see the bird in the tree” As I looked it was right there less than a hundred yards from us.
About ten minutes later we saw another bird fly down, then the one in our sight joined it.
We could hear a hen just off in the distance and we thought that bird was heading off in her direction, but we watched and waited. Just over the hill I saw some movement and sure enough here he came.
Chris said “take him if when you get a shot” As I got him in my sights and he was getting close, all of a sudden popped up another tom, and he was closer, real close and still coming. I gently moved the sight on him and boom, big bird down. I guess I watch to many hunting shows because I have always seen these guy’s jump up and run toward the downed bird, so that’s what I did and in doing so I forgot that Chris could have shot the second bird. Chalk that up for a rookie mistake. As you can see in the picture I was a happy boy.
As Chris and I walked back to the truck, we talked about the day, praised the Lord for the opportunity to take that bird and have a great hunt.
As I put as a header, this was more than just a first turkey. This was a milestone, a living testimony to what Colonial Outdoors is about. We discussed how just a little over a year and a half ago we didn’t know each other and here we were sharing a hunt. We also talked about some of the other guy’s who have begun hunting and fishing together that are relationships from Colonial Outdoors. Fruits of the labor, fruits from commitment to the ministry.
What makes this first turkey special is that Chris is not just a hunting buddy; he’s a brother in Christ. He’s a co-laborer in ministry and servant of our Lord.
If you have not been to any of the Colonial Outdoors your missing out on great opportunities to forge friendships and grow not only has outdoor sportsmen, but as followers of Christ.
I will always remember taking this wonderful bird and for the rest of my life when I think about it I will remember that Chris helped me get my first tom, and when he thinks about it he can enjoy the memory as well.
Thank you Lord for this bird and thank you Lord for Chris.
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