When Jacob shot his first Merriam, a bird hammered off to the sound of the gun shot.  Jacob’s bird hadn’t quit flopping by the time that Philip traded Jacob the camera for the gun.  They took off for the gobbling bird and finally saw him out in a field about 600 yards away.  

Philip got set up and started calling.  The first set of yelps the bird hammered off and started slowly walking his direction.  After about 45 minutes of calling the bird had finally closed the distance to about 30 yards.  That was plenty close enough.  Philip let the shot ring, out and he was done in South Dakota.

What we learned: Get as close to a turkey as you can.  For every step closer you get is one step he doesn’t have to take, but always remember once you spook him, in most cases, he is done for the day.  If a turkey is in the right mood he will walk a long way and do a lot of stupid things to get to a hen.