baldona523

I was able to set up on one this morning wasn't offered a shot. When we checked out of Eglin at 12:15, only 1 jake was turned in for all of area 9 and the north section of area 7, that is one jake for over 60 hunters, not good odds.



We set up in a well known roosting area and sure enough a nice tom was there. We made the mistake of setting out only the hen deke, and a couple minutes after we set up a hen started yelping between the tom and us. So I knew it was going to be tough. He started gobbling hard late, closer to 6:30 then flew down around 7. But he hung up at about 50 yds behind some small trees and a good shot just never developed. That was the only bird we heard all day, and obviously not many others were sounding off either. Still beautiful day and great way to kick off the spring.

HAG 90 10

May have had something to do with the stampede into the woods. Had an eager hunter riding within 3 feet of my bumper on the way in Area 7. Beautiful morning though. :usaflag

byrddog

You might wanna hang with that bird hes probably a good one. Ive found that those gobblers with one old "whore" hen are sometimes older birds. She will probably stay with him allseason so its not going to get easier. If you can get between them you got a 50/50 shot. Good Luck!

baldona523

Oh yeah I am hanging with him you can bet that. Next time will just be with no deke or most likely I'll be using my jake. I wasn't able to get after him first thing this morning but tried again about 10 but the woods were quiet. I called in a hen, but can't wait for Tuesday morning when I'll be back there first thing.



Another thing, I ran into a flock of at least 30 birds scouting a new area and this was at about 12:50. I saw at least 1 tom but I think it was at least 2 and well over 25 hens. biggest flock I have ever seen on eglin. I think it might be a little early on Eglin and they are not full into breeding yet, but who knows. Checked again, and only 1 jake killed all weekend for Area 7 and 9. Impressively pathetic really. Hopefully it is just early and they are not calling much.