BeckyLouOutdoors.Com

A Letter out to all my friends in the Outdoor industry with some details about my VERY Eventful year--- 2010!

2010 was a year filled with excitement and adventure, from Jeeping the rugged terrain of Colorado and Moab, UT, (with ME behind the wheel for some of those Scary Hairpin Curves!!) and lots of hunting opportunities with several "Firsts" for me! My hunting began early spring by collecting a gorgeous gobbler in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, onto a Trophy Black Buck from the Hill country of Texas, an upstate New York “bruiser” buck, and a magnificent 16-point Texas Buck from the Hill Country. Not to forget my first BOW kill with a turkey from the UP of Michigan, my FIRST Duck Hunt in the Lush Louisiana Marshes, and lots of fishing and varmint / predator huntin to boot!

The most exciting part of my year, as many of you may know, was the opportunity to compete with five other women, on a new outdoor reality show/series for VERSUS Network called, “AMMO & ATTITUDE.” I was initially approached in February by the producers, who presented the show’s agenda to me as a “friendly” competition among women who enjoyed the outdoors. Their goal was to produce a show that encouraged women to take it outdoors, which has been my own personal goal and passion for more than 10 years now. The competition included different outdoor challenges, including kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, archery, shotgun, rifle, hunting, fishing and much more.

The filming of 11 episodes began in May, and with a quick editing turn-around, the show began airing at the beginning of August. The series ran with 11 fresh weekly episodes, and when the competition was completed and the winner announced, re-runs began airing twice a week for another 11 weeks, for a total of 22 straight weeks, and a grand total of 33 broadcasts!

The show was VERY successful, and the excellent ratings have prompted VERSUS to sign “Ammo & Attitude” for five (5) more years!! This is extremely exciting for me personally... for as the cookie crumbled and the dust cleared, I was the last one standing, and proclaimed the WINNER!!

I have always been “game” to try most anything, blessed with a positive attitude, a pretty good shot with most firearms, a rule-follower for sure, and I don’t give up easy!! Being the oldest of the six contestants, I’m especially proud of my accomplishments! I am certain that my achievements will be an inspiration to all women. I love reminding everyone that it is never too late in life to try something new outdoors, and what better story to stress that very point! Doreen and Jody Garrett, of OTIS Technologies, (hosts and major sponsors of Ammo & Attitude) arranged for an autograph signing at their booth at Shot, in an effort to promote the coming seasons, that was really a Blast!!! All of the episodes can be viewed online by going to www.ammoandattitude.com and click on "Episodes". Another Grand Highlight of my year, was to be accepted as part of the Commando ProStaff, sow on staff with Ed Johnson, who took me on my first Turkey Hunt in 2009, (Story below "Hunting Turkey Deep in the Ozarks of Missouri") I am very honored and proud to be considered a part of the crew, and extremely excited about the efforts they have made to support women in the industry,with several accomplished outdoor women on staff, "Go Commando!" www.commandthewild.com.

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I am sooo looking forward to this year, 2011, I have several exciting future opportunities developing, along with some new upcoming television appearances. I will also be attending seminars to share the story of my continued journey. As most of you know, talking to people is one of my great passions, and one that I truly enjoy!!

My dream of learning as much as I can about getting outdoors, sharing my passion and enthusiasm, and encouraging women of all ages and abilities, to take it outdoors is off to new heights, and I am thankful for each of you, personally and professionally, to have been a part of this adventure!!

(2.) DUCK DOWN! in the Marshes of Louisiana

DUCKS DOWN!
Duck Hunting ROCKS!!

Click Here to see a Slideshow of pictures, complete with some Great Cajun Music!!

This was my very first Duck Hunt, And what a treat it was at a "First Class Lodge"!! Fortunate enough to have arrangements made by good friend Jerry Pullin, to hunt with Derryl Gaspard, both of Shaw Group, at the private, extravagant, elite Marsh Club of Vinton, LA!! I believe that we have now experienced a Duck Hunt that most can only dream of. The evening we arrived, the 5 Star Chef flexed his cooking muscle with Fare fit for a Queen! I have been to a few Hunting Lodges in my day, and the food is not always, shall we say, first priority... but it is Top priority at the Marsh Club!!! Beginning with a social time, with appetizers of Lightly Smoked Salmon (YUM!!!!) Fresh boiled Shrimp, and numerous other delicacies, with a main course of Pork Loin over braised cabbage! (YUM! YUM! YUM!), and with my Food Fetish... I was in Heaven! I was not the only one that was to have a first Duck hunt, for seated at our table was a young boy, Stephen, and his father Shawn along with their host Bill of Cajun Contractors. Stephen and I were both PUMPED!! Staying at the "Shaw Shack" set on a beautiful bayou. "...(by no means a Shack, see the slide show link above) The First pleasant surprise was that I got to SLEEP IN the next morning!! Well that is what I call it compared to Deer Hunting. You only have to be in the Blind before daylight, as you can't scare your ducks off, they are still miles away! Our guide Scott Hanchey, with his tenacious (bird fetcher) Labrador Addie, boated us out through some small shallow canals to a blind, surrounded by strategically placed decoys, in the middle of a gorgeous marsh.

As beautiful as it appears, like most of Southwest Louisiana, and Southeast Texas, this marsh is still in recovery from the hurricanes Rita and Ike. The surging salt water into the fresh water devastated the vegetation and the wildlife. It has taken many years for marshes to recover, and still years to come. As we arrived to the Blind designed and constructed by Scott himself, an AVID waterfowl hunter, he had worked very hard on making it appear natural, and invisible, with a "garage" for the boat to slip in and completely out of sight!!!

We were seated, safe, and searching the skies as the sun creeped up to bring on the day. It was hard for me to see the birds approaching, so depended solely on the trained eye and commands from Scott. I think he could sense them before they ever got within earshot! "Front" "Behind" "Left" as he would state where he spotted birds approaching, then he would begin calling to the ducks. You must know how to identify ducks far away, with flight pattern and sight, possibly hear them "quack"! You then call to them in their own language, luring them in close, within range. Unlike rifle hunting, with shotguns, they gotta be close! The day ended with all of the hunters getting their limit, (but if I would've hit every duck I shot at, I would have had MUCH more than my limit!) I have gained respect for Duck Hunters as you have to have a KEEN eye, FAST to prepare, and a VERY GOOD SHOT to bring down the waterfowl! I cannot wait to get out there again, but will be practicing on some clay pigeons before I go up against 3 expert shots in a Blind!

I am looking forward to my next opportunity for a Duck Hunt. It is really quite different than any hunting I have done. I love the interaction, I always love being in the marsh, although, until this point I have only fished the Freshwater Marshes of Louisiana. I have to say, my favorite part of Duck Hunting, was Sleeping In Late!

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(3.) Gathering Geese!

Important process for the Management of Wild Geese. By Becky Lou Lacock

Have you ever seen a Canadian Goose with a little ankle bracelet? Do you know why they have it? Do you know how it got there?? I was in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and was fortunate to be with the Michigan DNRE (Department of Natural Resources and Environment) and participated in the process of Banding wild Canadian Geese for the program of wildlife management. Headed by Bill Rollo, out of the Escanaba, MI office. The end of June, first of July is the perfect time of year for the banding process. The Geese are raising their babies, and are also in different stages of molting, most of them cannot or will not fly, therefore it makes the process a lot easier to round'em up! The DNRE agents scout the area several days before the date of Banding to locate large groups of geese for the project, striving to reach the "quota" they receive each year from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency. The banding is detrimental to management of the wild geese, helping to determine migration patterns and life span of the geese, which in turn helps authorities determine the "bag limit" for different areas across the nation. Nick Brichacek Waterfowl Specialist and Pat Muffler of Hunter's Specialties filmed the process for a future production to help bring awareness to the program and the important role it plays in the proper management of the Geese.

If you should see a band on a bird, it is sooo important that you call into the national Bird Banding Laboratory toll free number at 1 800-327-BAND. Your report will help gain information on the bird, and you will receive a nice certificate for your efforts. The first banding of the day would be at Pat Muffler's home, on the Whitefish River, Rapid River, Michigan. The team of agents arrived, along with several much needed volunteers and got right on task! Bill and Kurt of the DNRE spearheaded the operation and immediately began explaining the process, so that we could all assist in the gathering of the unsuspecting Geese!

Having launched a couple of boats up river and down river, the boats locate the geese, then work together, slowly and quietly herding the geese toward the opening of the makeshift pen.

Meanwhile, onshore, everyone hides from "Birds Eye View" as not to spook the birds. As the birds approach the pen, several people approach slowly in hopes of moving the birds up into the pen calmly, nudging them into one corner, and then a portion of the fence is pulled in close to form a very small area.

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I was very impressed with the tremendous effort by the agents to keep the birds calm and cool. It was awesome to be "up close and personal" with these beautiful wild geese! An Agent stood inside the pen, carefully handing off birds to different volunteers outside the pen, here is Pat Muffler lending a hand… or two!

The goose is then brought to a person that would tuck the goose' head under it's wing ( which calms the bird), then gently proceed to determine the sex of the bird, classify the bird as "Gosling" or "Adult", apply the band to one leg, while another records all the information.

The bird is then handed off to yet another person that will carefully take the bird back to the water and release it. The birds immediately begin calling to their families and eventually they are reunited and swim away as fast as their little feet can paddle!

It was an exciting, interesting, and productive day for all!

(Below)Pat Muffler lives on the Whitefish River, and has had up to 10 families hanging in his back yard for most of the season, watching the Goslings from hatch to flight. After years of observing the geese, he can tell you what the Goose and the Gander are trying to communicate to each other, and with the Goslings, with focus on keeping them safe from harm.

See the entire days pictures on my online Web album in the following link, enjoy! Here are several more pix on my Picasa Photo Album

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(4.) Back from filming the Reality Show, "Ammo & Attitude"

I am back from filming the Reality Show Series "Ammo & Attitude!" What an Awesome time!! 5 other women competing in outdoor sports, It was a VERY intense, and FUN!!! I am certain that this will be a HUGE HIT, with High Definition filming, and thanx to producer Ron McWilliams and his Awesome crew!!! Filmed on location at the Terrific "Thunderhill Ranch" in Llano, Texas - This was seriously one of the most Beautiful plots of land in the Hill country of Texas, with State of the art Deer Management and care. The owners, Jimmy & Mary Helen Davenport, along with the Ranch Manager Chad Barrington with wife Angie, are too good to be true with first class facilities and hospitality! Bar NONE! I am hoping to go back again soon for a Rack of a lifetime! See their website www.thunderhillranch.com and you will be amazed! The bucks did not have their antlers while I was there, because of the season, but I did see some sheds, the pictures on the website will show!! Fantastic Major Sponsor OTIS Technology Inc, gun cleaning, provided lots of products and prizes, also owner Doreen Garrett along with her husband Jody, were our hosts and made it all Fun and verrryyy interesting! I stated many times, that if Jody and Doreen could have the stage for a few minutes, it could be "Ammo & Attitude Comedy Hour";two funny people! I really enjoyed meeting them, and I am very honored to have been a part of their world, if only for a short time! Browning came through with loads of quality gear to help make our stay a little more enjoyable, tools for some of the competitions, great boots, and loads more gifts and prizes, along with Scott Granger who was a judge for a couple of events, WHAT A GENTLEMAN!! Truly a pleasure to visit with Scott. Limbsaver provided Quality Equipment, and also, as a perk, provided Steve Gruber as a Judge, THAT MAN IS FUNNY!!! Game Guard Camo provided duffles, hats and Shirts. Also providing Jason as a Judge and a Great Guy! I was very impressed with the quality of all the products, and the Pattern is perfect for the Terrain of Texas!! Check it out!! WileyX provided Fantastic sunglasses, and tactical glasses for all the sports, and all the girls were surprised that every pair were comfortable and durable!!! Nikon provided us with First Rate binoculars and range finders which helped tremendously! Rocky Mountain Clothing Company gave us all their Cruel Girl line of shirts and jeans we needed for all the competitions, I love their stuff and the quality is Top Notch! Lots of additional sponsors were gracious enough to join in and make the show a success. --Kershaw - Ameristep - I promise--This show will ROCK! With a Great director, camera man, and producer, along with a Great Crew, there is no doubt that everyone will love it!! There should be promo's airing soon on Versus Channel. The actual Series is to begin August 1, 2010 7:30am CST- with 4 other random broadcasts during that week; total of 11 episodes. All the activities are VERY EXCITING and Action packed!!! There is No revealing details or results "JUST WATCH IT!!". I will remind you all! I can only say that I played hard, I am tougher than I thought, and I am proud to be a part of the production!!

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(5.) April 2010 A Turkey from a place over the Rainbow… Upper Peninsula of Michigan

A Gobbler for ME!!! Turkey

Hunt in the Absolutely Awesome Spectacular Mystical Upper Peninsula of Michigan! (or maybe I should tell you how I really feel…..)

I have now traveled further north than I have ever been! I also, now understand about the two very different areas of Michigan. These two areas are referred to as the "Upper Peninsula" and the "Lower Peninsula" and are connected by the magnificent Mackinac Suspension Bridge! Both with specific characteristics and lifestyle, I was to hunt in the U.P., where the land mass makes up ¼ of Michigan, but only 3 % of the population. ------ Beautiful land with a wonderful mystical quality, just like the people who live there, affectionately referring to each other as "Yoopers". My being from Louisiana, I am familiar with friendly southern hospitality, but the warm reception that I received from everyone in the small towns sprinkled across this area was something I will never forget. Sincere in every gesture, the people are very special and unique. I will miss them all.

How did this Southern Girl end up on the U.P.? While at the NWTF Convention in February, I was appealing to some of the vendors there for donations to help support the Louisiana B.O.W. program. Pat Muffler, of Hunters Specialties helped me secure several donations. (((THANX PAT, and Hunters Specialties for the contributions!!!)))

Pat then asked if we would like to hunt a Turkey in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan… My immediate response was YES YES YES!! Knowing that it would be the furthest point north that I had ever traveled, I was REALLY excited about the invitation, so we worked around several schedule conflicts, and I was On my Way!

Pat has spent most of his life hunting in the Rapid River area of the U.P. ( much like my first Turkey Guide Ed Johnson in Moon Valley Missouri!) It seems that he knew every single piece of dirt in the entire U.P., at least I felt that he did! On the field staff for Hunters Specialties for several years, Pat guides hunters every year for Turkey, Deer and Predators. Scouting year round, with several of the "locals" sharing their sightings in the area also, he has an excellent advantage for finding the elusive animals when the season is right!. After arriving Sunday afternoon, a little scouting, and talking with some of the locals, I was anxious and ready!! Early Monday morning, we set out for a blind that Pat had strategically placed in an area close to some railroad tracks, but as we approached the blind, we hear some gobbles, PRACTICALLY RIGHT OVER OUR HEADS!! We dropped to the ground…I just shivered!! The gobbles breaking into a total silence was CRAZY! Apparently we spooked them slightly, and although we were within 6 ft of the blind, Pat decided that we would stay put for the hunt. This was very intense and we had to move extremely slow and quietly to set up and wait for the fly down. Eventually several gobblers & hens flew down off their roost, the rustle of their large wings again sending shivers down my spine! They started milling around only a short 15 feet away!!! The blind sat between us and we could not see them yet. Finally 2 gobblers came out into view, but with my position, and tucked into the woods with very little light, I just did not feel good about taking the shot and hesitated. One of the birds became slightly alerted, and away they went…. and away we went to another location..

In a field not far from the White Fish River, we walked for a long long long way…. (I was told later that it was ½ mile)…. We sat just inside the trees on the edge of a large field, which was much more comfortable with the cushy "H.S. Strutt Seat" that Pat had brought for me to sit on. In very short order, Pat had called in a gobbler with his favorite Hunters Specialties Box Call!! The bird had stopped about 100 yards out, and quit responding to the calls?!? Finally Pat determined that something was keeping him from coming towards us, possibly a bigger gobbler that was out of our view. The Standoff continued for several minutes when suddenly we heard another gobbler, with a much BIGGER Deeper Gobble! The first gobbler stood his ground, but did not advance, and finally the BIG gobbler chased him into the woods on the opposite side of the field, and they were history… I thought I had heard a gobbler behind me deep into the woods, so Pat used the H.S."Bad Boy Mouth Call" and began yelping with a gobbler breaking in almost immediately! The gobbles continued to get closer. I felt sure that THIS WAS GOING TO BE IT!!! But it cut off quick, and possibly he had been distracted by a real hen on his way. My being fairly new to Turkey hunting and learning their behavior, I now understand that hens are very possessive of gobblers, and if she hears another hen in the area swooning a gobbler, she would hurry over and "steal" the gobbler away, and as we all know, a bird in the hand is worth 2 on the edge of a field....

The next morning we returned to the spot where we got busted before the blind, but this time we got in safe and sound, and disappeared into the H.S. Primetime Ground Blind. There were no Turkey roosted nearby this time. We did have lots of wildlife keep us entertained. Two Beautiful Sand Hill Cranes milling around just 30 yards out, a Mallard Duck guarding his setting hen that we never saw, old faithful crows, and then with the mouth call again, here come the TURKEY! Watched as they meandered towards us, in the open, off into the woods, back out in the open, eventually coming in from behind us just on the edge of the woods. Steadily heading our way to check out the decoys Hunters Specialties "Woody" & "Jezebelle" our Jake and hen. We both felt that it was just a matter of time before I would get a Good Shot! Pat would yelp at the perfect pitch with the mouth call,

1 or 2 Gobblers would Gobble

YELP!

GOBBLE GOBBLE gobble!!!

Closer and closer

YELP!

GOBBLE GOBBLE gobble!!!

CLOSER & CLOSER

Every Gobble would make me shake from head to toe!! I was just about to ask Pat if he could stop just for a moment so I could gain some composure.. when it happened…. what I now call, the "Crazy Crane" started barking at the TURKEYS!?!?! For some reason the crane did not want them to come into the open area…. and they squawk sounding sortakinda like a bark. The turkeys hesitated, the crane kept barking at them, Pat was trying to wave his hat to scare the Crane, but nothing worked!!! The turkeys eventually turned and went the other way….Of course if we were "Crane" hunting we would've spooked that Crane long before! I was so bummed, but not giving up. There were too many Turkey in Michigan, and I needed to do my part to control the population… onto another day.

TURKEY DAY FOR BECKY LOU---

Tucked into the same blind, with the same entertaining wildlife, but this morning we would get a little Show that very few have ever seen! With Woody & Jezebel decoys set up, and us completely hidden by the Primetime Ground Blind, two hens began making their way toward the decoys. At about 30 yards out, the dominant hen began acting very aggressive, actually fluffing her feathers and strutting like a gobbler!! She strutted and fussed for the longest time all around Woody, in an attempt to divert him away from the Jezebelle!! She was awful pretty and would probably have been successful if the Woody were Real! She finally decided that the he was "Just not that into her" and a little miffed… she moved on…

Then Suddenly Pat whispers-- "Their coming!! Get Ready!!" I could not see anything but got the gun and set up for a shot. Then quickly there were 2 Gobblers, aggressively approaching Woody and Ready to KICK SOME TAIL FEATHERS!!! The dominant gobbler walking around, strutting and poofing out his chest feathers. I put the bead on his head and being very careful not to shoot the decoy, or accidentally shoot the other gobbler, waiting for just the right moment….

BLAM! BIRD DOWN! It felt GREAT!!!!

My second Turkey, my biggest GOBBLER, and a YOOPER BIRD to BOOT!

ABOVE: It's a Guide!! It's a Turkey Caller!! It's a Cameraman!!! It's SUPER PAT!!!

ABOVE: Buck LaVasseur of "Discovering with Buck LaVasseur" show Channel 6, Marquette Michigan fell victim to do my first Television Interview. Great Guy, very interesting as he has been involved in Outdoor Discovery Production for 29 years!

Above: Back at Pat's home on the Whitefish River, We took some photo's of the BIG BIRD!

Now that the Bird was Down, there would be some time for sight seeing in the area! Staying at the Nahma Inn, Bed & Breakfast, <click for reviews…

Charley and Laurie have a FANTASTIC place with FANTASTIC Food / quaint Friendly neighborhood tavern, and lovely rooms all kept very close to the era of the building. It is extremely affordable, but don't let the price fool you!! Top notch in every aspect, on Lake Michigan, and nestled in a small town for a relaxing retreat. Since the restaurant was closed on Monday night, Laurie turned the Kitchen over to me, and I was in heaven as I cooked up a Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo for several of the locals!! Although I didn't have my spice cabinet with me, I managed to create a tasty version of the dish Louisiana is famous for!!!

A good friend of Pats, A commercial Fisherman Darren, had several mounts in his den, but this one just took my breath away, Michigan deer are Awesome!!! <PORCUPINES ARE PREVALENT! I did learn that Porcupines do NOT shoot Quills at you for defense, the quills only come out when touched!! (L)This is just one of the Beautiful deer that live in the UP. All of the deer are large compared to all the deer that I am familiar with, Louisiana & Texas. The does avg 130 lbs, and all look so healthy!! (R)I saw herds of Deer, literally HERDS in all the areas I traveled! But when speaking to the locals, they will tell you that the deer population is low at this time… Hard to believe for me!!

ABOVE: I know this looks like "Pet Turkeys" but they are actually Decoy's with Real Feathers! Mike is a fantastic Taxidermist in Marquette, MI and successfully uses these two birds to draw in other Turkeys! Tom & Jezebelle!

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(6.) "Hunting Turkey Deep in the Ozarks of Missouri" May 2009

YES – That is Me in the Picture! YES - That is the Latest "REALTREE" Fashion! YES – I feel Pretty! !! (more like a Pretty Bush!) This was my First true "Turkey Hunt", and it was to be held in the Hills of Bennett Springs, Missouri. With Ed Johnson of Commando Products by my side and as my guide, we positioned ourselves in the middle of hundreds of acres of an area called Moon Valley. Ed was very familiar with the land, as he had been hunting there for over 40 years…… How Great is THAT! I felt like a Special Princess, with Ed as my "Fairy God Guide"……..and I was PUMPED!! It was Raw hunting, but I was ready for it as you can see with my "New Outfit" above. The girl in me just wished that someone could have seen me…..but the Realtree pattern does the job so well! Ed was a great teacher and guide. As he would execute a call, he would label it, explain why, and what he expected from it. When we would hear the Turkey talking, he would patiently tell me what they were saying, and why they were saying it. Sometimes he would remain silent, and sometimes he would answer with a certain call. He was actually "Talking Turkey" it was so amazing! I couldn't wait to get my hands on the "Commando" Glass Disk and wooden Stick!!! but that was a No No, he kept them far away, out of my reach, as to not spook the birds with unfamiliar sounds, and I understood, but I still didn't have anything to play with….. We hunted in the Blind, hiked in the Woods, called Turkey, Listened to Turkey, talked to the turkey. We had a couple of hens prissing thru the area, but they must have been ugly, (for there weren't any Gobblers following them). We enjoyed watching the Woodpeckers, Owls, "Turkey" buzzards, Squirrels, and listened to various other sounds, and sometimes the total silence of the Forest, For 3 days. THEN…….. That fourth day started very slow, VERY slow. I know Ed was sooooo disappointed…..I truly think that everyone was going to be even more disappointed than I if I didn't "GittaTurkey"! I was also getting very anxious. It's like the little kid inside of you starts squirming around, and you want to do well so that everyone is Proud! We heard a bird now and then. Finally had a hen come within 10 yards and browse for a while, all alone, (she must have been ugly too). Slow was the morning at first, but as we say in Louisiana, that was FIXIN' to change!!! About 100 yards directly in front, a Jake and two hens passed through the brush. They just fiddled around, and although Ed beckoned with more expertly executed turkey talk, they did not come into our area. Ed explained that the mating season was just beginning, and the Jake probably didn't want to share his hens with another Jake, (one of our decoys) So after those 3 moved out of the area, and out of sight, Ed quickly jumped out of the blind and grabbed the intimidating Jake decoy, and tossed him into the blind. With more Turkey Talk from the infamous Glass Call by Commando, a Jake responds, makes his way into the area, joined by two hens(which I assume were pretty). He came into my view, but never stopped, turned and walked right back behind the tree. Grrrrrrrr!! He did not give me a shot, as my range was very limited, (see the size of the windows in the blind)
ABOVE: Moments before my opportunity, I was Focused and Ready! As you can see , with my Mosssberg 835 12 Gauge….I was tired of MESSING AROUND with those TURKEYS! I was feeling the pressure,!! People were depending on me!! I needed a BIRD and I needed it NOW! It was the LAST hour of the LAST Day before I would have to give up and "Throw in the Camo"!! BELOW: Eagle Eye Ed was Talking Turkey as if hisVery Life depended on it……. or that the"Bird's very Life" depended on it! Shortly afterwards, there was some low Clucking in the immediate area, which means that the hens are having casual conversation, or gossiping, or whatever. Again, out of nowhere, "Eagle Eye Ed" spots two Jakes and a Hen! They are coming in on his side, from the right of the blind!!! I was ready this time, and as soon as he came from behind the tree, I lined up the brightly colored beads of my sights, and squeezed the trigger! I was dead on, and the Turkey was dinner!! It was an amazing moment, Ed was elated! I was trembling, totally overwhelmed with Excitement and Relief! I texted "BIRD DOWN"!!It was an amazing adventure, and a wonderful hunt. Measured not only by the harvest of a Turkey, but by the new friends with new stories, the campfires in the new countryside, and being able to lie down at night with a good feeling of being out in the clean fresh air of the Outdoors………… After you Check for Ticks! Me, Turkey, Call, and Ed! "Photo Op'!" Everyone was happy, it was a Good Day at Bill's Place!! (that is another story to come, and a Good one)

BELOW: Commando Glass Call Came Through ! (YES, I finally got my hands on it!) OOOO Happy Day!!! BELOW: (L-R) Steve from Arkansas and his bird, shot while laying flat on the ground, it was a Great Gobbler! Collin chose to do a lot of hiking, and scouting that day, his hunt was for another day! Eagle Eye Ed and Becky Lou with a Turkey Tooooo!

BELOW: Meeting Bill was definitely worth the trip.This all happened on his little part of Heaven in the Ozarks. Lots of Stories, and Turkey Dumplings! I will have to return to Missouri for more of both!


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