great story congrats.
Kingsbury opening day
My bud got a draw for Kingsbury this year. We made 6 trips there in 3 weeks time for scouting. Each trip consisted of 3+ mile walks on both east and west sides of the park. We spent yesterday morning watching and listening to no less than 10 toms in 1 section all before they dropped out of the trees. Man we had them nailed down. I kept telling my bud the only thing to come between us and a dead bird opening morning was gonna be another Hunter. He kept saying this place is so big we won't see another Hunter.
Fast forward to this morning. We were back to our spot by 5:40 and set up. Right at just after 6 and just before the birds were gonna start up here comes 2 fellas walked right up on us dragging a bag of decoys and blind with a flashlight. They proceed to walk through our spread rounded the corner and then sent everybird roosted there across the park. As If that wasn't enough then they pitched their tent and set up about 60 yards from us. Soon as things settled they started in on the call. Could tell right away we were not gonna kill a thing till we got completely away from them. So we packed up and moved just down the row. Birds gobbled all over the place early except for right near us. We had 3 decent toms get within about 35 yards of us but got a little nervous with our decoys and faded away. No shot. Then we heard 1 gobble behind us over towards the group that scared everything early. My bud let out a few calls and we got a response. Then we spotted him about 70 yards down the lane from us. He never spoke another word but took ten mins to strut his way over to us. BOOM my bud rolled him with a 410.
Classic public land hunt. Always obstacles that get in the way. You just have to adapt on the fly and overcome the situation.
Fast forward to this morning. We were back to our spot by 5:40 and set up. Right at just after 6 and just before the birds were gonna start up here comes 2 fellas walked right up on us dragging a bag of decoys and blind with a flashlight. They proceed to walk through our spread rounded the corner and then sent everybird roosted there across the park. As If that wasn't enough then they pitched their tent and set up about 60 yards from us. Soon as things settled they started in on the call. Could tell right away we were not gonna kill a thing till we got completely away from them. So we packed up and moved just down the row. Birds gobbled all over the place early except for right near us. We had 3 decent toms get within about 35 yards of us but got a little nervous with our decoys and faded away. No shot. Then we heard 1 gobble behind us over towards the group that scared everything early. My bud let out a few calls and we got a response. Then we spotted him about 70 yards down the lane from us. He never spoke another word but took ten mins to strut his way over to us. BOOM my bud rolled him with a 410.
Classic public land hunt. Always obstacles that get in the way. You just have to adapt on the fly and overcome the situation.
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I also hunt Kingsbury. Live just 15 minutes away. Have always taken a bird first or second day, but this year was rough. Failed to draw a reserved hunt for the first time since early 90’s. So tried to get a no show spot four times before getting picked. Then only when weather sucked bitter cold, rain & gale force wind. Finally got a decent day but still 15 guys for just 7 spots. But gloriously got picked. No mature toms where I set up but while walking out at 11 am spied a few toms down a mowed trail just 200 yards from my truck. Stalked up and took my bird there. Lol. Then May 15th went up to some Michigan public scouted last spring and took a 22 pounder attacking my Rural King jake decoy first morning. Two toms out of three tags.
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