Dave Richey: Turkey hunting\’s a solo job

The gobbler was 75 yards away and moving our way fast through the spring woods. He was fixated on Henrietta, my hen decoy, and seemed committed to a quick romantic dalliance with her.

The longbeard was almost within shooting range when the hunter in front of me asked, rather loudly: \”Is it time to shoot?\”

The gobbler heard the human voice, hit the skids, hung an immediate hop to the left, ducked behind a tree, and quickly disappeared from sight. He was as lost as last year\’s Easter egg from that time on. I was never able to locate that bird again.

Granted, turkey season is still over a month away, but savvy sportsmen are planning strategies now. Knowing the benefits of solitary hunting can be an important factor in hunting success.