Gobble Gobble!

The turkey killin’ has begun. Opening day of the spring turkey season started this past weekend and many were hunkered down next to a tree during the wee hours of the morning with shotgun in hand. I was unsuccessful in my attempt to bag a Tom, but a few of the HOS fellas put some lead in the heads of a couple “thunder chickens.” Kirk Fessler (pictured) and Shane Brock got the season started off right by each waxing a bird on opening day. I can’t wait to hear the stories.

This is one of my favorite times of year. After being introduced to my first “gobble” a little over 10 years ago, spring has had new meaning for me, and life had a new purpose – chasing after longbeards! Those of you who turkey hunt know what I’m talking about. There’s nothing like hearing that ‘ole Tom thunder off at your calls. Then, knowing that you’ve found a love sick strutter and he’s headed your way, your heart races. The spitting and drumming, the strutting, the double and triple gobble all send your heart into overdrive and chills up your spine. Finally, you send lead down range and send the gobbler “home to glory” with one pull of the trigger. What excitement!

All experienced turkey hunters know that turkey hunting can be as frustrating as it is exciting. These wary birds can be hard to figure out sometimes. They’ll gobble their heads off one day, only to be tight-lipped the next. Once you think you’ve got them figured out, they throw you for a loop and do something different. It seems like each time I go into the turkey woods I get another education in gobblerology. When it comes to matters of turkey hunting I guess we really like not knowing what to expect from the birds. It makes it thrilling, keeps it interesting and keeps us coming back to the woods with our slate calls and strikers. However, when it comes to spiritual matters it’s awesome to know that as a Christian we serve a God that is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He loved us so much that He died for us yesterday. He loves us that same amount today and He’ll love us that much tomorrow – in spite of who we are. God is good!

Jeremy B. Harrill