Opening day of the Michigan Turkey season

It was a Beautiful morning monday. I set up in the same spot that I took my bird last year on opening morning.
I set up my double bull and got the decoys placed how I like them. 5 to 8 yds out, seems to work well for me when bowhunting.

Just after 6:00am I heard a couple of roosters crowing off in the distance. A short time later a Tom began to gobble in response.
I waited a while and then began putting and clucking softly and finally he reacted to my calling. I was really surpised he could hear me since he sounded a long ways off. When the time was right I did a fly down cackle and some yelping.
That got him fired up. I could tell he was now on the ground, He was coming fast and gobbling on his own.

I was set up in a low corner of a cut cornfield. As I looked to the west I could see his head as he came out of the timber walking fast. He went right back into the woods just as fast and began to strut on a small ridge directly behind my blind. I started to call softly again and here he comes marching right out into the field and stops about 25 yds out and begins to strut. I should have been more patient but I have taken a few birds at that distance and was very confident in the shot.
I drew my bow, settled the pin and released ,watching my Firenock tipped arrow as it headed toward the big Tom. I saw the arrow kick just a bit and the Tom jumped into the air. I had hit a cornstalk and it deflected my arrow just enough so that all I got was a feather or two. The Tom quickly walked to about 50 yds and began strutting and gobbling for around 10 minutes more before he finally gave up and just walked off.

I just know that bird would have come in closer for me if I had only let him. :o(
Guess I got a little excited!

I'll be back out there chasing them again this coming weekend. Can't wait!

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