Tom Turkey With 10 Beards

The hunt unfolded just like a turkey hunter would like.  Rick Bay, Kooper's dad, Kooper and his brother-in-law, Kevin Sawyer, hit the woods just before sunrise and set up in a spot where they had heard turkeys. Rick said, "We had seven or eight turkeys gobbling and knew there were plenty of turkeys in the area.  We were close to some birds, but when they flew off the roost, they went in a different direction where another hunter was calling.  We then moved to another spot when we heard some birds right there.  We didn't have time to put the decoys where we wanted when two big gobblers appeared.  We got the decoys out and I cleared a spot for Kooper to sit.  After making a call, the toms came running.  After sitting there for about two or three minutes, they came around the corner and when they saw our decoys, they went back into the woods, but after more calling the gobblers started moving towards us.  I told Kooper to take the second bird because a lot of the time the larger bird is behind the first bird.  At about 30 yards out, Kooper fired his 20 gauge shotgun and dropped the big bird with a well-placed shot."

Sawyer said, "I saw the two birds heading our way and then go back into the woods.  I made several soft calls and they came back out, I was in a position to see all the action and watched Kooper make a good shot."

The Humansville fifth grader said he was very nervous when watching the toms headed his way, but was able to take advantage of the situation and get his first turkey on his third Youth Turkey Hunt.  He is looking forward to going after another turkey during the second week of the regular three-week season that started Monday.  Youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not take another bird until April 27.  This is because the bird taken during the youth season counts as the first bird for the first week of the regular season.  The Youth Season Limit is one male turkey or a turkey with a visible beard.

The young hunter also got a deer last year and is looking forward to going to South Dakota pheasant hunting this year now that he has completed the hunter-education requirement for that state.  He also likes to play baseball and basketball at school.

The thrill and excitement from Kooper's turkey hunt, the big smile on his face tells it all. After all, the future of the sport lies with today's youngsters.

My congrats to Kooper in getting his very first and special breaded turkey in our great outdoors!

Excerpts taken from Springfield News-Leader ~ Editor, Ken White