Final update: I decided to push through the knee pain on Sunday morning and give these turkeys one last chance to get close to me. There was a hen close to me and four jakes far away in the corn stubble for almost two hours. Then, out of nowhere, turkeys are running all over the place. I don't know enough about turkey behavior to understand what was happening but two dozen turkeys flooded the field and started an impromptu game of bumper-cars. I thought for sure that one of them would eventually come within 40 yards of me but after 15 minutes, I was alone again. I figured that was that and packed up my gear.
On the way back to my truck, I decided to walk the edge of one more field just to see if any birds were there. When I saw the first hen, she was only 30 yards away so I quickly and quietly stood behind the biggest tree that was close. I found the courage to peek around the right side and there she was, 20 yards and closing, I peek around the left side and see another hen further out. Back on the right side, hen at 12 yards so I stand as still as I ever have. She passed by me at 5 yards and went into the woods. I look back to the left side of the tree and see the second hen is closing the gap but also notice two red turkey heads coming over a rise in the field. I check the right side and see two strutters 60 yards away. On the left side, hen has gotten to 20 yards and many more turkeys are visible but farther away. Back to the right and the strutters have made it to 40 yards. In range but they are moving closer so I might as well wait. Check the left side and hen is at ten yards. I thought she would take the same path as the first hen but she must have seen me move because she started briskly walking straight away from me. Peek to the right side and birds are still full strut but moving away. Now or never; step to the right, shoulder gun, pick out the closest one, wait for the further one to clear, and squeeze the trigger. I can't believe it actually happened, I got my very first turkey.
[video=youtube;cSFPhqJ0bqw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSFPhqJ0bqw[/video]
I was surprised when I ranged back to the tree where I shot and the rangefinder said 56 yards. They must have been moving faster than I realized. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any of the final encounter on video but there's not a chance in hell I'll ever forget this hunt. 19 lbs, 9 3/4 inch beard, and 1 1/8 inch spurs. I had to get a ton of advice for me to get this done including some awesome ideas from tried and true turkey guys on this forum. Thank You.
