At Weeks End
Wednesday evening I assembled what I thought Id need a few hours later for a much-anticipated adventure.
I laid out a can of repellent laced with 40 percent Deet to ward off ticks, a neat little fold-up stool Beverly gave me for Christmas, a long-sleeved shirt its cool in the dead of night and a pair of coveralls. A shotgun, along with a 10-round box of three-inch 12 gauge shells holding No. 4 shot, also was at the ready.
I was ready for my first turkey hunt.
By 9:30 I was snuggled up and soon drifted off to sleep.
Then, about 2:30 a.m., a clap of thunder invaded my organized world. Soon after thunder and lightning increased and rain pelted the roof, which under other circumstances would have been a smoothing sound. Not this time. I had the alarm set for 4 a.m., designated time to arise to head for a blind, and I might as well have tossed it away; I couldnt go back to sleep.
Just before 4 the phone rang. It was brother-in-law Craig Mintz, who promised a good chance of seeing a robust tom turkey with a long beard, the trophy turkey hunters like to brag about.
Lightning here and another storm coming, Craig announced, from where he lives a few miles out in the country. I already had surmised what hed say next: I think we better put off the hunt to another time. I agreed. At my age I dont like to battle the elements. Besides, theres always another day.
I SPEND quite a bit of time nowadays in the middle of a couple of bushy and timbered sections south of Humboldt, communing with nature and also looking for any signs of cabins that made up the Vegetarian Colony during its short time in Allen County, 1855-56.
With the help of a map Judge Spencer Gard drew 40-odd years ago, I have found at least three places, fortified by artifacts, where cabins might have stood.
During these journeys Ive seen a number of turkeys, and more recently the hens often have been strutting about by themselves. One veteran turkey hunter told me that was a good sign, indicating they had amorous tendencies that excited toms and had the males more susceptible to calling, an art at which Craig is quite good.
I figured by the time I had purchased a turkey tag ($27.50), shells and repellent, I could have bought a tasty turkey at the store. But, I decided when the opportunity arose, I wanted to take after a wild one, regardless of how well it might taste … or what it cost.
Those who hunt turkeys claim Id find hunting the big birds much more exciting than deer. For them that may be true, but I doubt if it will have that effect on me. I can think of nothing as intriguing as seeing a big buck moseying through the timber, and then waiting, with my pulse increasing, as he comes in range and presents himself in such a way that I feel comfortable with taking a shot.
But, Ill give turkeys a chance one of these days and find out.
