Shark Feeding Frenzy

[Friend]

Was ready to pack it in at 10:30 CT when a live hen showed and decided to stay for 90"s. She would just lay down next to the DSD breeding hen then get up peck at the other decoys, pick some clover and then lay down again. Just before noon, I decided to run the trumpet one more time....had not heard a gob all morning. Was answered immediately by a close thundering gobble...The gob appeared within seconds in full strut at the edge of the sanctuary, approximately forty yards diagonally left across the 30 x 75 yard clover food plot. Another hen, from far to my right was quickly approaching the decoys. She then started meandering within the dekes.

The gob had dipped out of sight and had been silent for nearly 10"s. I hit a couple of notes on the trumpet. He hammers as he emerges 30 yards out directly behind the semi strut DSD jake. The semi strut jake is facing the blind at eight steps. The tom struts a straight line directly behind the semi strut deke. My TimberGhost is on fire in my hand and the Tree Shark is rattling its cage. He struts within one yard of the deke as I am prepared to load up the TimberGhost in anticipation that he will step either left or right. The gob stops and suddenly comes out of full strut as if alarmed. I draw foreseeing an immediate need to be ready for an abbreviated window. The gob raises his head and putts...fortunately, I am intently focused on his head and release the shark. He drops on the spot.
[attachment=1,msg2863966]
I was again blessed with a special opportunity.

Note: I live on the farm and quite often hunt alone. I may have to drive over thirty miles in order to have someone to take a pic of me with a harvest. Quite often I don't even take a pic. The memory and gratitude have been securely stored. My buds have prodded and harassed me for years for not taking pics. I didn't start taking pics until two seasons ago.

I should learn how set up a digital to take appropriate pics.
The gobs head was re-attached for the pic.

[varmint101]

Hah! That's awesome, congrats!  I've found something to lean my phone against or put a camera on and set the timer.  Usually takes me a couple three times.

[TooManyHobbies]

Congrats! Do you always take head shots?

[Friend]

TooManyHobbies...This was first ever attempt at a head shot...the gob was directly behind the decoy affording me no lethal body shot opportunity. The gob had become suddenly nervous and a quick exit appeared imminent. The anticipated short window of opportunity presented itself when he raised his head and putted.

[Yohon]

Way to go Friend  I had a very similar situation this AM and blew it like a big dork..... glad to see that it can be done.....great shot too

[Kopper1013]

Beautiful bird and an awesome shot! Congratulations  trying desperately to get an edge in some centaur baddle axes before season opens here...

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

Outstanding sir...

,,Sam,,

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Well done friend!

[pdk25]

Great shot.  Nicely done

[Chumster]

Nice bird and great story to boot! Glad it all came together for you.

[Wudstix]

Excellent!!!!  Glad to know that no sharks were injured!

[Possum Head]

Man that's awesome I would fall apart under that kind of pressure. Congrats Friend

[Blueridge]

Congratulations Friend! Awesome shot and good Tom.

[Bisch]

Awesome bird Scott, and GREAT shot!!!

Congrats!

Bisch

[Friend]

Many thanks for the kind words.

As we are all well versed in, that many of our close encounter situations fail miserably in going as planned.

It has been a wonderful gift to be in position to share one with a fortuitous ending.

[TIM B]

Attaboy friend! 
I'm always alone also and usually set my phone on video- prop it up- get in the pic for a few seconds- and then later just take screne shots off the video. 
Hope that makes sense....
Tim B

[Alexander Traditional]

That's some good shooting right there,congrats.

[Sam McMichael]

Great shot! I could shoot for a month and a half and still not pull off that hit. Congratulations on a fine hunt.

[Elkchaser]

 

[fnshtr]

Congrats and great story!

I read it while sitting here in my blind. Just heard a gobble way off and a cluck close by.

Got to go!