Illinois Turkey Action heated up in the 3rd and 4th Seasons !
Here in IL we have 5 seasons running back to back starting April 13th in the north zone running until May 14th. A hunter must have a permit for a certain season. Hunting with me, ... or helping with the calling, decoys, or just going along for the fun was ... Boomer Freesen, Casey McDaniel, Joe McDaniel, Stephanie Reynolds, ... and least not forget ... SUPER TOMMY ! ( I have a fifth and final season permit that starts May 7 running until May 14 ) Tennessee Buddy Keith Carnley and son Wesley will join me this coming weekend. But before we think about that, ... lets take a look at the fun this past two seasons have been!
Above ... Joe McDaniel and Boomer Freesen hold up a pair of young gobblers harvested. I think Boomer is pleased with the effect Super Tommy had on these birds. They came right in ... 
One had a beautiful "white Tipped" fan ... while the other was rather dark. I sure had fun with the Boom-Man. And am really looking forward to hunting in Wyoming with him this fall! ( can't waited Boomer ) And Toni ... You and I need to Turkey Hunt NEXT YEAR. Don't forget ... we'll have fun. 
I thought since Joe & Boomer worked me harder than a borrowed mule, ... I might as well get in a photo too ! Hunting with the young dudes only makes me realize how out of shape I am. A nice pair don't you think ? No, No, ... not Boomer and I, ... the turkeys !
CMAC ... rests against the "BIG TREE" where we sat up. At about 6:15 ... we had turkeys answering the calls ... and running to SUPER TOMMY ! That's right, ... Super Tommy is racking up the bird count. He has 9 birds to his credit this year ALONE !
Casey only had one day to hunt with his Fourth season tag ... so ... BAM ! ... first bird to the decoys was the dead bird.
Here's my twin ... I couldn't give him away.
Say hello to Stephanie Reynolds. She submitted some photos for the Outdoor Girl of the Week. She has some great ones. But, ... since she was from Jacksonville, I invited her to come hunt Turkeys with me. She got her permit and on the second day of hunting, ... she harvested her FIRST EVER Turkey !!!
Stephanie's bird had a thick 6 1/2 beard with 3/4 inch spurs and weighed in at 16 1/2 pounds. We had gobblers on both side of us working well. They answered my calls, but when this dandy bird came sneaking in .... Stephanie didn't think twice. She popped him at a mere 15 feet as he snuck in over a small hill.
It was a pleasure and an honor to hunt with this future OGW ... I thank her very much for allowing me the pleasure to call for her. And, ... it was extremely exciting to watch her shoot her first ever turkey !!!.
Now, ... I've been known to stage and set up a photo or two. But, ... I've never used the truck window as a mirror to fix my hair
Stephanie knew I was watching ... but really, ... we with stood knats, mosquitos and bugs ... wearing face masks ... and she even sat on a torn bush for nearly two hours. I think it's OK to straighten up the hair a little.
For all those who know about the Fry Fest 2009 being held at the LODGE - Garage ... Stephanie will be out. ( you'll want to meet her )