That's why they call it Hunting!

This morning was opening day of Turkey Season 2009 for me. I arrived at my spot at 7am. Walked 20yds from the truck when wham, Gobble! I couldn't tell where or how far so I hooted the owl call once, and wham, gobble again-I located him, and he was close, about 75 yds away, roosted in a pine tree. I slinked over into the woods off of the road and set up. I had good visability about 60 yds down the road, but not a shooting lane as there was a good bit of brush and sapling trees in my way. Anyhow, I yelped a couple of times, and he gobbled back. I yelped a few more times and laid the call down. He gobbled 5 or 6 more times and I heard him fly down. 2 minutes later, here he comes. A big boy, 10+ in beard, made his way down the road, coming right to me on a string. I had the gun on my knee, and the safety was off. Due to a lack of a shooting lane, I could see the bird making its way down the road looking for the hen, and I just got ready. He gobbled two or three more times within 30 yds of me...talk about heart pumping action! Once the bird got into my shooting lane (about 10 yds away) I raised my gun to my shoulder to take the shot and the bird flew off like a bat out of hell-I shot but it was too late. He was already in air about 30 yds from me. I was shocked at how fast he took off and cannot believe I do not have a dead turkey to show for such an awesome hunt. Took the shot at 7:30am-An incredible hunt nonetheless!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Well after the trip to NC on Friday, I was pretty much beat, both mentally and physically. However, I didn't let that stop me from a weekend full of activities.

First off, I received a call Friday afternoon from Jack McGill wanting to know if my father in law and I wanted to go offshore fishing to a wreck off of Fripp Island to go after some Sheepshead and Black Drum. He went a few weeks ago and really slayed them. Phil couldn't go because he had already agreed to go fishing with Paige and Charlie, so I told Jack I would still go if he wanted to. However, based on the wind and wave forcast, we decided it was going to be to rough and we would go another day. So I instead took up the other offer of joining Charlie, Paige, and Phil for some inshore action.

The following day, Jack called me early in the morning but unfortunately I didn't get the call. I called him back and left a message, and proceeded on over to Beaufort to meet up with everyone at 11am. We had a great day on Charlie's boat, but the fishing was horrible. Once we got to our fishing hole, another boat soon joined us, and wouldn't you know, It was Jennifer's uncle Rob and Aunt Sheila, and their friend Debbie Walters! Rob was the only one that caught a keeper, a nice 17" Red. The wind was really rough, and we decided to move to a different spot near Monkey Island to get out of the wind. We were able to get away from the wind, but the fishing was no better. At least we had a good deal of food and beverage to enjoy, and it was a hoot watching the monkeys. (For those of you that don't know, I am not on Drugs. There is a real Monkey Island near Beaufort, an island where the Federal Government keeps monkeys for research and other proejcts. The actual name of the island is Morgan Island!)

A couple of Monkeys on "Monkey Island"

On my way home from Beaufort, I got a call from Jack. He had gone fishing after all! And wouldn't you know it, they slayed the Sheepshead! Jack tried to call me and get me to go, but I missed the call and that was that. He and a friend of his, Eddie Hipp went and had a great time. Guess I'll have to pay better attention to my cell phone. By the way, they caught at least 4 that were over 9 lbs each!

Eddie Hipp with a couple of 9 lb+ Sheepshead...that could have been Me!

After Church on Sunday I headed up to Yemassee to attend a meeting for this year's hunting season at Richfield Plantation. Most of the members attended to meet the new folks and develop the rules for this upcoming season. I think we have a good group of hunters and this year looks to be a good one. More to come on that in the future. After the meeting I rode around and scouted a little for turkeys...Can't wait for the season to start!

Visit with my Grandmother

I don't usually blog about things other than guy stuff-you know, football, hunting, golf, etc. However, I've recently been faced with a difficult challenge in the declining health of my grandmother, Leona York of Statesville, NC. My mother's mom, she has been a significant part of my life for as long as I can remember. She was a great cook in her day, and a sweet Christian lady. I took this past Friday off and traveled to North Carolina to visit with her. She has been moved to a nursing center which is traumatic enough, due to her lack of eating. It was a very tiring day to drive over 9.5 hours in a day along with the visit, but it went well and I'm so glad I went. These times are precious. Please continue to pray for her health and for our family as we cope with her illness.

My Grandmother, "Tam"

Tam looking happy

Fire Pit Photos

Here are some photos of the Fire Pit that I won at the Rotary Auction a few weeks ago. David Hamilton came over and helped me unload it the other day-thanks David! This thing is rock solid and weighs well over 150lbs! Now, we can't wait to use it-hopefully we'll be able to before next year!

Nice Fire Pit designed by Iron Art by Kevin, located on HHI

Thanks for the help David!