Hodgeman County Youth Season Turkey Hunt by Paul Zedalis

We had a great time in Hodgeman County (Jetmore), Kansas, this weekend guiding for the Pass It On-Outdoor Mentors (Kansas Region) 2022 Youth Hunt. I was fortunate enough to guide/mentor Andi Heckel (12 years old) and her dad, Brett. Got there a little early on Friday to do some scouting, and after talking with the landowner, I placed the blind in an area he recommend (wheat field adjacent to a timbered creek bottom) and had it all set up for the next morning's hunt. As luck would have it, that evening, we were glassing and saw four Toms heading into the woodline to roost, passing right by my blind (20 yards) on their way in. I saw an additional lone big Tom on the other end of the field go into the woodline to roost as well. Yep! That's the place to be. Met Andi and Brett at 0500 hours this morning and we headed out to the blind. Glad we went in early enough as we later found the birds had roosted less then 50 yards from the blind. Everyone got into the blind quietly and quickly as I placed out the decoys. As the sun started coming up we heard just one gobbler. So I started out very light on the calling, but eliciting a response each time. Shortly after, all four birds flew down to our left about 75 yards away and even with us. They milled around for a bit, but seemed to be meandering NW across the wheat field. It looked like it may be a lost opportunity. It was time to get very aggressive with the calling...so I racheted it up quite a bunch of pegs! That did it! The Tom went into full strut and was on his way to my Jake decoy. Andi was up and ready with her weapon when he reached the decoy (20 yards away) at which time he started beating it up!! Andi took the shot...miss!! That Tom never missed a beat and still continued pummeling my decoy. Andi shot once again...miss!! Again the Tom couldn't have cared less and continued to monkey-stomp my decoy into the ground. Andi shot for a third time and finally gave him the dirt nap he so richly deserved for beating on my decoy!! To say she was excited and happy was an understatement!! The first game animal she has ever taken while hunting and it was a very fine mature Rio at that! And of course dad was beaming. It was about a fine hunt as you could want and about as exciting as you can get. She will have this memory for a lifetime I assure you. I asked her once she calmed down and stopped shaking if she was hooked on turkey hunting now...a huge smile and a resounding YES! That's what it's about and why I do this.

Congratulations on your first ever turkey, Andi!! I'm sure there will be more to come for you with your dad and hope to see you in the field next season!