Revenge tale or kicking tail: Turkey of the Week

Ray Easterhouse went back to the same spot at Matthiessen State Park where he killed a turkey last year.

And he had three toms come in to his hen decoy in the first season of Illinois north zone last week, only to have the clucking of a real hen pull them off. With 20 minutes of hard calling, Easterhouse drew out the hen and the toms.

“They all came to investigate why my decoy was being so stubborn,” he emailed. “As one tom separated himself from the group, my shot rang out and he met his demise. The hen immediately took flight but to my surprise the two remaining toms saw their opportunity and proceeded to kick the life out of their already dead buddy. They even ignored me walking towards them till I was only 15 yards away. I just hope my friends are more respectful at my funeral!’’

Good point.

TOTW, the celebration of turkey hunting stories around Chicago outdoors, appears Wednesdays on the Sun-Times outdoors page as warranted.

Send nominations to straycasts@sbcglobal.net or via Facebook (Dale Bowman) or Twitter (@BowmanOutside).