The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Struttin’ Time

The real truth about turkey hunting


Spring squirrel season opened May 16. Things change, and life goes on.

I have lost track of the hunts you and me have been on over the years in Struttin’ Time. It has happened by way of the printed word, even though half of you don’t even hunt. I can recall in recent memory the letters, text, and messages I would get in a week’s time.

My grandmother used to say even an anvil has so many strikes. Sometimes I feel like Struttin’ Time is on the last days; I would hope not.

This week I am going to write about “Turkey Hunting,” as sent to me by a nice gentleman, who is not an avid hunter, Ralph Brown of West Liberty, who reads Struttin’ Time each and every week. I thank you Mr. Brown for being such a loyal reader. We will do this in two parts, so we can get the full impact. It was written by Richard Stamper and published in the Wolfe County News. For your enjoyment, here goes:

“Turkey Hunt. 1:00 a.m. Alarm clock goes off. 2 a.m. hunting partners arrive, drag you out of bed. (At) 2:30 a.m. throw everything except the kitchen sink into the pickup. 3:00 a.m., leave for the deep woods. 3:15 a.m., drive back home and pick up shotgun. 3:30 a.m., drive like hell to get to the woods before daylight. 4:00 a.m., set up camp, forgot the tent. 4:30 a.m., head for the woods.

“(At) 6:00 a.m., see eight turkeys. 6:06 a.m., take aim and squeeze the trigger. 6:07 a.m., load gun as turkeys go over the top of the hill. 8:00 a.m., head back to camp. 9:00 a.m., still looking for camp. 10:00 a.m., realize I don’t know where camp is. Noon, fire gun for help; eat wild berries.”

Half-way into our hunt, we will pause until next week. Mr. Brown, again thanks again for your letter and Mr. Stamper’s column. You show the spirit that Struttin’ Time is built on. Until next week …

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