While we South Dakotans are among the most fortunate people in the world, we often take things for granted without fully realizing just what we have. Such is the case with our turkey hunting. South Dakota is frequently recognized as the top state in the nation to hunt turkeys. Turkey hunters from around the country fly to hunt destinations while we have an hour’s drive at best.

I don’t know exactly why, but I was as excited as a kid on his first hunt. I got up and checked the time at one, three, and five, and eventually rolled out of bed at 5:48 A.M. Betsy got up and made me waffles. How good is that? Chuck, my hunting host, told me to be there between 7:00 & 7:30 A.M. As I rumbled toward the Missouri River bottom south of Wagner, the eastern sky hinted at the coming dawn. Didn’t turkeys move at first light? My thinking was momentarily interrupted by deer that were too close for comfort crossing in front of me. Whew! I hoped I wouldn’t be late.

When I pulled into the yard, Chuck was on a tractor feeding his cattle. Ten minutes later he assured me I wasn’t late as it took time for the big birds to reach the blind area. Apparently there was no need to hurry. After he introduced Gavin, his son-in-law, we walked to the blind from the yard. Because of my balance problems (peripheral neuropathy), climbing into the tent-like blind would be my most challenging task on this hunt. Chuck followed me as Gavin placed the decoys before joining us. Fortunately for me, the blind offered shots in all directions.

I had two personal objectives for this hunt. First, I wanted to bag my bird with my 125 year-old 16 gauge double barreled shotgun with side hammers and Damascus twist barrels that necessitated black powder loads. Second, I wanted a yearling gobbler (Jake) as we once had a dining problem with a leather tough old gobbler. I also had my 12 gauge with three-inch magnum shells along as a backup incase the birds didn’t come close enough for my old-timer.

Five minutes hadn’t passed when three gobblers strutted into view on the north. The range for my old 16 gauge was questionable and I let them go. The next batch of turkeys appeared on the south side by the decoys. Inside that diminutive blind we played a turkey hunt version of musical chairs. I was to stand quietly while Chuck moved my five-gallon pail seat. Turkeys hear exceptionally well. There was nothing quiet or graceful about my movement, but the turkeys didn’t seem to care. I passed on the shot as there were feedlot cattle in the background.

The next turkey delegation was again on the north. More musical chairs. Once again they were too far out for my 16 gauge antique. I was beginning to question using my venerable antique, but between Chuck’s calling and his confidence that more birds were on the way, I stayed with the old gun. Now more turkeys came strolling in on the south, and they would be close! More positioning. A big gobbler (In the excitement I had forgotten about wanting a young bird) came within fifteen yards and I fired. I either missed, or a hole in the pattern caused me to miss his head. While patterning my old gun the day before, I did get some patterns with voids in the middle. I was dejected. I didn’t deserve another shot and I said so, but Chuck assured me that birds would come and go all day.

Now we experienced a brief lull in the action…..perhaps 10 -15 minutes. Eventually a lone jake came ambling in on a straight line. He would pass within 12-15 yards of the blind. I cocked the right barrel hammer. My gun was cradled in my bipod when he entered my sight picture. Blam! When the smoke cleared, he lay in front of us. We paused for a moment in both relief and gratitude. Now it was picture time! He was heavy – more or less full size considering his age. I was elated – and very thankful for a friend like Chuck.

All of the turkeys we saw were of the Meriam variety. I’ve taken many turkeys in the past, most of them by walking up and down hills. This was my first time ever in a blind with decoys and an expert caller at my side. What an experience!

See you next week.