I began turkey hunting in 1986 and over the years, I have rarely missed an opening day of Virginia's spring gobbler season...and this year was no exception. And over the years, I have only killed a gobbler on three opening days, roughly one per decade...and this year was no exception.
From the beginning, nothing went right. I had a poor night's sleep as on Tuesday I had to resume taking medicine for my Lyme Disease. Friday night, the medicine "kicked in," giving me stomach cramps for much of the night. When I arrived at the Franklin County farm, I headed for a spot where I killed a tom in late April last year. But some 100 yards from the car, I remembered that I had left my camo gloves in the vehicle.
After retrieving the gloves, I headed for my spot, and the morning started well with four toms gobbling on the roost. But about the time they flew down, both of my legs started cramping and I was unable to keep my knees up with my shotgun resting on them. After a long and frustrating morning and with my legs still cramping, I headed back to the vehicle so as to be out of the woods at noon, as is required in the Old Dominion.
I placed my gun, seat cushion, daypack, and car keys in the back seat...then found that the car had "locked itself," which resulted in a half-mile walk to the farmer's house. Fortunately, I had left the driver's side window cracked open, so an acquaintance was able to jigger the lock to open by using a clothes hanger.
I am due to kill another gobbler on opening day of Virginia's season around the year 2020.
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