I didn’t sleep a wink last night….I’m sure you know the feeling for one reason or another! At different points in my life, sleep has been lost because of many reasons - all usually self-inflicted! I’ve suffered from too much caffeine; being out with friends; worrying about family or friends who are ill; babies who have gotten their day or night hours mixed up; or wrapping Christmas gifts the ‘night before’! But this time was different.
I am a grown woman, (too old to go out with friends all night!) with two young children, (and pets) who depend on me, a home, a job, and healthy family members (Thank God!) Life is good in all respects, near as I can tell, but still I cannot sleep. There’s no need for a doctor; it isn’t a medical condition. But still, I lie there, tossing and turning for awhile, finally giving up and end up just lying there in the dark. If I didn’t have a digital clock, I’d be listening to the ticking of each second passing by, that’s how wide awake I am! It’s an awful feeling, isn’t it? Knowing that you NEED the sleep, yet your mind won’t give in to allow the sleep to come….
Normally, I’d be cranky, miserable the next day (and probably for days following as some will attest!) But, this time was different. I had expected that I wouldn’t sleep well that night. I’d been preparing for it for the past few months. I went out and bought my own calls, and the clothes were folded and the gear waiting. All I was waiting for, was for
3:45 a.m.
, at which time, I would start my hunt. It was hours until opening day of spring turkey season here in the Northeast, and I was awake and ready! (Of course, any of you who have read my previous turkey articles already know my experiences with this particular creature have not been as extraordinary as the textbook-perfect first year’s hunt, but thoughts of those “disasters” were far from my mind in the dark hours of the morning this year!)
Before setting out in the dark, I reviewed a mental checklist: I had gotten permission from the landowners across the road, have my calls, horses are locked out of field, gun, ammo, face mask, gloves, decoys, tag, license on my back….. All seems to be right. As I call with the owl call into the darkness, I hear a gobble – much closer than I originally thought I was going for. Alright! Change of plans, right off the bat, but I am ready, and go with the flow – the other birds, those that answered me at last night’s pre-check, will have to wait for another day. I am heading to the east this time.
As I try to walk on the grass edges, my feet CRUNCH on the gravel. Ugh! I concentrate more fully on my walking, since I know this land like the back of my hand. As the turkey gobbles again, I wonder why he didn’t answer me the night before. I would have had a better plan for my entering the hunting spot if he had cooperated with me! But, it’s too late for “what ifs” at this time of the hunt. I must make do and keep going, as quietly as I can until I get to the soft grass of the field. It actually worked out well; there’s a thick patch of cedars along a ridge that I can hide in as I approach my spot. Near as I can tell, the bird is down the hill, across the brook, and up a bit.
The decoys are set; I am settled under a cedar at the base of the hill. There are overhanging branches, and because of the angle of the hill, I am well camouflaged from the bird high in the tree. Perfect timing, the night is just breaking into a lighter gray. It is such a wonderful time to be out in the woods! The woods are mostly quiet until this part of the day – the birds wake up and start chirping their individual songs, then it becomes symphony of different birds singing together. Getting up this early has also given me the chance to see some beautiful sunrises that I otherwise would have slept right through!
The sun is up! I check my watch and it is, indeed officially sunrise. I begin to call the bird and he replies in a mere flash of a second! This conversation continues for quite some time. After what seems like a lifetime, he flies down from the tree tops. I am very excited! The bird is hot! He is looking for the hens that are calling to him, and when he finds them, he is mine!
The game continues for quite awhile longer. My rear-end has long ago gone numb, and my legs are starting to fall asleep as well. I am afraid to move, now that the bird is on the same level as I am sitting. So, I suffer in silence as the pins and needles travel into my feet. My gun is ready, the bird is getting closer. I expect him crossing the hill towards me soon. Some geese fly by, very low, towards the pond not far from here, so I think there is nothing for the turkey to be afraid of. I continue to wait, somewhat impatiently. And wait, and wait….. the gobbling is less frequent now, but still getting closer. The decoys are still standing….
Ooh! Off in the distance, 300 yards or so, I see him – a little jake. As he comes from behind a big oak tree, I see he is with two other birds: a larger gobbler (who never said a word!) and another smaller one. After a short while, they turn….and strut away even further….further…further…..until they are specs heading into the far field. Once in a group, they didn’t even act like they heard my calling. But I saw them!!!
As I realize my hunt for the day is over, I am overcome by tiredness. I walk back, giving silent thanks for the beautiful morning and the overall experience, adding a postscript to the prayer begging for some sleep!
