I have not turkey hunted for about 3 years now. Kind of lost interest and even quit my lease/club. Been hunting out West as much as possible while I am still breathing. Ok here is my story.
It was about 25 years ago and the second year I was successful in killing one. I was hunting in Grannville County.
Went to the lease the afternoon before opening day and scouted until sunset. Did some calling to locate a bird. Was about to give up when I struck a Tom.
Got as close as I dared and sat tight to almost dark. Did a few purrs and took my hat and shook it to make it sound like I was a hen roosting. He fired off pretty close, but I froze in place until it got really dark.
I slipped out of there and drove the hour and a half home. Told my wife part A of my plan was in effect. She laughed.
Only skept a few hours and drove another hour and a half back. Went into the woods a solid hour before it got even close to showing light.
Went to the exact same tree I did the fake fly up with my hat and was shaking with the possibility of what was to come.
I convinced myself to not make a sound until it was light enough to clearly see my watch. OK, go time had come!
When I was about to mimic the hen flying down, he gobbled on his own. He spent the night where I left him! I took my hat and made a few wing beat noises like I did the night before. I didn't hear him respond, but made a few purrs and sat there.
I heard something to my left and there he was. As soon as his head went behind a tree I swung my shotgun on him. He stepped out and there was the first turkey I called in by myself. It was about 20 minutes after legal light and about a 20 yard shot.
Called my wife right then.
Got in my truck and ran into a couple of guys from the club. I told them to go in the cooler and grab a drink. They couldn't believe I was on the way home with one in the cooler.
Killed one about every year since. Decided it wasn't that hard. We only make it hard.