Swing and and a Miss!

My 12 year old and I just finished up his season yesterday. Our problem is he's using my 20 guage and can't quite hold it steady for a lengthy period so we use a bipod. That pretty much locks us in to one direction for the shot. We were going every afternoon once school got out. Last Friday he had a nice tom coming right at him along a field edge, just a bit too far out so I had him wait. Then it started moving further out into the field taking away the straight on shot and forcing him to turn to his left. As he was twisting and trying to line up the shot, I think he didn't stay down on the stock with his cheek. Shot right over it. The bird flew, he says "dammit" (listens too close to his dad I guess), and immediately is upset. After awhile once he calmed down, I asked.."what did you say after you missed?"

He got a nice one two years ago on his first hunt so it wasn't too disappointing striking out this year. On the plus side, I got permission from a farmer this year that's just 2 miles from home. Birds are there, we just need to become better turkey hunters.

Nothing compares to my second season of turkey hunting, first moring was a drop and run, afternoon of same day was a stalk and pure miss, 3rd morning was a **** why did i just move and got busted by a bird behind me, 3rd evening was yet again another pure miss. Lets just say it was not a good year! Atleast now ive gotten it down and havent missed is 6 years thank god!!!

He had no idea I was there I think I just got excited and did not concentrate enough. He gobbled all the way in several hundred yards when he came in and I just plain missed. I couldnt handle it and went back there this morning and did not see or hear a thing maybe need to let things cool down for a few day's? He was probably pushing 25 lbs and his beard was almost touching the ground so its hard to not want to go back there. I seem to be ok in the calling department as I have had several other birds in during the youth season and called a few in for friends this year. Just wasnt sure what to do when you miss one as this is only my second year turkey hunting. Thanks for sharing any stories or advice you may have. I have to work the weekend but would like to try and go after him again on monday!

I have wondered that myself alot after not finishing the deal on a bird either by missing or just getting busted. I do feel that close encounters will make the birds go silent though. Seems that the later seasons the birds are less vocal and I feel this is due to them having a few near death experiences. The desire to breed is still there they are just a little more bashful about going about it. If you can get a bird to gobble the last few weeks of the season, you are probably doing something right.