Boo - My Favorite Turkey Dog

Story by Bob Fringer

North Carolina’s 2007 bearded turkey season was a good one for Warner Perry and me. The season was only half over and Warner had harvested his limit of 2 birds and I had shot one. Warner could only be an observer or a turkey caller for the remainder of the season.

We began the last part of the season by going to one of our favorite hunting locations. When I met Warner he informed me that he had brought Boo, his Labrador retriever, with him because he forgot to leave her in his office. She would stay in his truck while we were hunting. That did not present a problem because the back seat of Warner’s truck was like Boo’s second home. She rode with Warner most days when it was not too hot.

We had no sooner gotten out of the truck when a turkey gobbled. Another bird gobbled but he was farther away. We quietly walked down a dirt road and listened to the nearest bird call out again. We slipped up the side of a field and silently put out our decoys. The turkey continued to make his presence known.

Soon after we sat down, a young male turkey (Jake) appeared on our left, glanced at the decoys and then nonchalantly disappeared over the brow of the hill. When Warner called very quietly on his box call we could hear several hens yelp from their tree roosts. About 15 minutes later, Warner used his mouth diaphragm call and made a few yelps. One of the birds made a strange reply to his call and then I heard a flurry of wings as a large turkey flew down and landed in the field about 75 yards to my right. As the bird got closer I could see the bright neck and head of the gobbler but I could not observe any sign of a beard on the bird. As the gobbler moved closer he stretched out his neck and made a menacing movement toward the decoys. By now he was about 50 yards away and I could see his beard. It looked a little thin but appeared to be long enough for a 2 year old bird. He continued to move towards us. When he reached about 35 yards away I brought up my new shotgun and fired. He whirled around and started to move away. I shot a second and then a third shot at the bird as it tried to escape. He slowly limped away and then stood still about 50 yards away. I put another shell in my gun and shot another futile shot. At this point, the turkey turned and slowly walked into the woods. I was now out of shells!

After my fourth shot I could hear the raucous laughter of my hunting friend (?) As he gleefully recounted my ability with my new shotgun. I couldn’t believe it. I had sold my last gun because I missed a turkey last year. Would I have to sell my new one too? I had to borrow several shells from Warner.

Then, Warner remembered that Boo, his faithful retriever, was in his truck. It was agreed that I would remain where the turkey had entered the woods until Warner returned with Boo.

When Warner and Boo began to check the field edge Boo quickly hit the turkey’s scent, turned and jumped into the bushes. Warner stayed with her while I remained at the field’s edge. Immediately, there was a loud rustle of wings in the bushes and the sound of Warner running through some water. He was trying to catch the bird as it crossed a small pond. Boo ran around the other side and cornered the bird on the edge of the pond. The gobbler was caught in some bushes and couldn’t escape. A fifth and final shot ended the hunt.

When Warner picked up the bird he said that I had shot a Jake. I couldn’t believe it! During the past two weeks I had passed up the opportunity to harvest several more mature birds. I really thought he was an older turkey. However, I was happy that we had recovered the bird and did not let it go to waste. Besides, I had gotten my turkey and the incident was not a total failure. Boo had certainly helped me out. She is my most favorite turkey dog!

After the hunt I returned home, picked up a clean pair of dry socks and gave them to Warner to replace his nasty, wet ones. Then I went to Wal-Mart’s and bought a big bag of dog food for my favorite turkey dog. It had been some day and I’m certain that my hunting buddies will hear about my latest turkey hunt. Warner will make sure of that!

As for the gun. Well, I think I’ll keep it for the time being. Warner and I patterned it after the hunt and it shoots pretty good. As one of my friends said,” the nut on the gun’s receiver needs some correction.” I think he might be right!

Bob Fringer
May 4, 2007