Today, I called in and killed a mature gobbler while afield in Franklin County, Virginia. For people who don't turkey hunt, they may not know how hard it is to tag a tom. This was the eleventh time I have been out this spring in Virginia, including many times before I go to teach English, and the first time I actually had a chance to take a gobbler.
Nothing I do in the outdoors has such a low success rate, and nothing compares to that scintillating moment when a mature gobbler is within range and one knows that the hunt will end in an exhilarating fashion or in inglorious misery.
My one-shot kill resulted in a quick and merciful death to the old longbeard, and when I reached him and saw that my prize was secured, I screamed not once, twice, or three times but four. I thought I was done screaming after the third yell, but one more had to escape.
Later, I went by the landowners and thanked them for letting me hunt. I am now tagged out in Virginia and will head for West Virginia soon. Also, I plan on taking several novice turkey hunters here in Virginia. It is fun to tutor others and not to have to carry a gun.
And today's turkey will soon become grilled breast and the legs will become a delicious soup.
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