Persistence

Photo: Kathy Arola

It's about the pounding you get in your chest.

The thump-thump-thump of your heart....

That is the feeling that make every outing so exciting. That once again I might get to have that emotion course through my body. Persistence is how I came to find it once again this fall. Generally persistence is thought of as unrelentless pursuit. However in my hunt persistence was persistent waiting and watching, as well as some pursuit.

As I left camp Saturday morning I was thrilled to find tracks on the sandy bend in the main field. Continuing to walk I found more sign, this was a key area to watch. I climbed up to a ridge point that divided the main valley in two. From my perch I could see a fair amount of realestate. The plan was see birds moving and then get out to them as fast as I could. I sat on that point on a rock from approximately 7:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (Location 1, refer to below photo)

Photo: Cory Arola

The reason I sat until 5 was because that is when turkeys entered the field. I knew with only one and a half days to hunt, the second I went back to camp would be when the birds would walk out.

After seeing them down in the field feeding I grabbed my gear backed out of sight and ran up the ridge to circle and enter the valley out of sight. When in the valley floor I ditched my bag, advancing only with my rifle shooting sticks and binoculars. Sneaking slowing around the bend the birds were nowhere to be seen. I collected my gear and set up a new post at the sandy bend (Location 2). I sat still as a statue and watched intently waiting for them to re-enter. My expectation was that they would come down a natural funnel to my right. Not seeing them leave the field I was making a big assumption.

After sitting for about 15 minutes I saw a muzzleloader hunter cross the field. My first thought was gameover, but past experience with birds, I knew that sometimes, someone would cross the field, or the game warden would plow and the birds would come right back out. I sat tight.

Not ten minutes later they were back in the open feeding, I crawled toward them covering about 30 yards. However the flock was making its was to the opposite side of the field much too quickly and were vastly out of range for my .22 mag. I watched them, guessing they would feed into a draw up behind a guzzler. As soon as they were out of sight, I ran back to my bag grabbed everything and ran across the field. Sneaking within 30 yards of the draw, I kneeled, placed my rifle on my shooting stick (Location 3). I sat like that, mentally I had decided to wait until either the birds reappered or the sun set. I stared forward, the grass beign so tall this year it would be hard to pick birds out as they moved. Religiously I checked backwards every few min, knowing they may enter from a differernt location up the valley. Thirty minutes after laying my rifle into the shooting sticks I saw movement. The flock was back out into field. I picked a bird that was facing me at 45 yards aimed at the base of the neck and.... lifted my head off the stock as I pulled the trigger. Miss.

I remained composed, knowing this would likely be my only oppurtunity. I smoothly worked the bolt, welded my cheek to the walnut, picked a bird running, leading the base of the neck, swinging like it was a cottontail, and squeezed. I saw a puff of feathers through the scope and the bird momentum carry it forward but down.

I walked forwad after sliding another round into the chamber just in case. I saw the bird laying, motionless. I peaked around the corner up the draw and saw the rest of flock making their way away from me. Walking back to the bird I picked it up, thankful to having enjoyed such a great hunt and harvesting great table fare. I inspected the bird, a young hen, I had made a perfect spine shot damaging no meat. I set up the camera on my mini tripod to snap a quick self portrait. Turkey number 5 on 9/10/11!

Photo: Cory Arola

After returning back to camp I field dressed the bird and relaxed enjoying the beautiful evening. I reflected on how the hunt had went. Persistence paid off, not only was I persistence in waiting from first light to last light for birds to appear, but when they did I pursued them unrelentlessly and aggresively without forcing a situation where I would spook them.

My father and mother were coming to the SWA Sunday morning so my dad could hunt and my mom could observe. My mom and I were fortunate enough to set up and watch a flock of 5 birds for about 35-40 min. My dad put the sneak on them but was busted as he was trying to set up for the shot.

Photo: Cory Arola

No turkey in the bag for him but a great experience for my mom's first time out and a great hunt for both him and I having so much action going on.

Family portrait. Photo: Cory Arola

Mom goofing around while I am getting the camera ready. Photo: Cory Arola

This is video my of the birds my mom and I observed Sunday September 11, 2011

Currently I am getting ready to join Brett and his buddy for some archery and muzzleloader action this Saturday.