I heard 7 turkeys gobble across about 500 acres this morning.  I set up on a corner of three big fields.  I took my dove stool for elevated sight and comfort and Little Freddie and Frieda for companionship.  I set them up 25 yards out in the field on the edge of the spring rye grass and a patch of barren ground.  Found the perfect little nook in the edge of the woods between two pines and some little gums.  I could see the 4 acre pocket to my right and the ridges of a corn field, to the front and left.  The turkeys didn't gobble much to begin with, but I had come to enjoy God's early morning glory and as usual, He did not disappoint me. 

           About 6:30, a struggling sound let me know a Jake was close and then a bird lit in a tree just behind me.  I purred and called softly and the young Jake appeared just before his brother flew down from the tree to join him.  Little Freddie was in trouble.  Just like the Tar Baby and Brer Rabbit's arch rivals, Brer Fox and Bear, they dropped their wings and headed straight to Lil Freddie.  "Good Morning Lil Freddie" one of them said as he backed against the silent and still bird.  Finally a couple of wing prods later, Lil Freddie got a lashing from the jealous Jake.  After Lil Freddie leaned away from the beating, the youngster full of pride after his Macho show, walked away trying to strut like his older cousins had done to him in his "lesson" into manhood. 

           The older gobblers begin to call out in search of early rising hens and as the sun brought warmth to the cool spring world, the frequency and intensity increased.  I called and cackled excitedly and strained my ears to try and detect the increasing volume in hopes of bringing some older Longbeards into the field of view.  Just as I moved to watch for the closest bird gobbling, two appeared back to my left on another ridge, holding their head high in between their extravagant displays, looking for the hen calling to them.  Once again, I gave them a purr and this time they spotted the two adolescent birds that were scrambling for the tall grass to escaped another lesson from their elders.  The Older boys jogged down the ridge and ran the now cowering and clucking Jakes into the bushes.  With the young ones out of the way their attention rested upon Lil Freddie and Frieda.  Drumming and strutting they approached, always keeping their fans and copper sheen plumage in the sunlight to impress Frieda.  

           Just about the time they reached the pair of artificial lovebirds, a loud cackle and a double gobble sounded, as 4 new gobblers and 3 hens jumped into the ring.  Hens flew, hopped and cackled as gobblers barked out in response.  One of the gobblers joined the other two approaching Lil Freddie and the others hurried to the next ridge to began their courtship ritual.  For over three quarters of an hour, I silently watched and admired the beauty that Our Father has given us to enjoy.  Three Gobblers at 25 yards and four at 80.  Finally, after much debate, one of the gobblers was harvested as his confused brothers gobbled and ran around his body, urging him to leave with them.  It saddened me and assured me that it all was a great blessing to have been a part of.  

 Respectfully,

Dan Burford