huntingjournal

The weather for the 2006 youth weekend was not very cooperative.
However, 15 year old Zeb Zillion was able to brave high winds,
heavy rain, and thunder to harvest his 2nd turkey - that weighed 26
lb., with 11 1/2" beard and 3/4" spurs. After seeing over 60 birds
that morning we finally had two gobblers commit to the decoys and it
was all over with for the dominant bird.
Congratulations Zeb!

The regular season opener for 2006 was
absolutely awesome. Four hunters were able to
harvest birds to make for the best season opener
we have ever experienced. Congratulations to

Danny Thiesse was able to connect on his 1st day of his hunt
in 2006. This was Danny's 2nd year hunting with us, with his
luck turning out better this year. After a quick breakfast,
Danny's guide "Herf" had gobblers in the decoys at 1st light,
and with an excellent shot both were back at the clubhouse by
7:15 a.m.

Hunters Lonnie Anderson and Gary Kindred decided to try
things on their own and both harvested mature gobblers on
their self-guided hunt. Lonnie and Gary have hunted with
us for 3 years now, and probably know the main farm
almost as well as the guides. Congratulations to both
Lonnie and Gary! See you fellas next year.

Accomplished whitetail hunter Jose Gutierrez was able to
harvest his 1st turkey on 4/16. Accompanied by his wife
Nancy, the husband & wife pair were very close to each
harvesting birds on their first day. Nancy shot and knocked

a big gobbler down only to see it fly away. Jose later missed a bird that morning, but was
able to redeem himself by connecting on the 2nd day.

9 year old Ryan Oddo, from Huntley, IL harvested his 1st
turkey with only 5 minutes to go in legal shooting time.
Pictured are Ryan's dad - Russell and brother - Russell Jr.
Though this bird didn't come to a call, it was still very
exciting to see Ryan kill his first turkey.

Keith Hutson, from Beardstown also harvested his bird on
Sunday the 16th. After a short boat ride up the Sangamon
River, Keith set his decoys and began calling. It wasn't long
before he had a lovesick gobbler fooled, in the boat, and
headed for home.

Father and Son, Daniel and Nicholas Nasharr were guests on
4/22 and 4/23. Nicholas' hunt was one of the best hunts
you could ever dream of. After being unsuccessful early in
the morning, we decided to move to another spot about 9 a.m.

After getting Nicholas back into position, we set the foam hen and mounted Jake decoy
and waited. About 45 minutes later Nicholas yelped 4 times and immediately a gobbler
answered no more than 100 yards away. The gobbler practically ran up the hill and within 1
minute was standing face to face with the strutting competition. What seemed like an
eternity, the gobbler finally turned for Nicholas to take the shot. At 11 years old, Nicholas
harvested his 1st gobbler, called him in, and the whole hunt was filmed. Thanks for such a
memorable hunt that may never be topped.

Guide Mark Hobrock was able to harvest the 1st bird on
film, early on Saturday morning. After chasing this
gobbler the day before without luck, they changed their
setup and were done by 8 am. Check back in mid June, as
Mark's hunt will be featured on the website.

Guide Lonnie Moore, from Sparta, IL was able to catch a
break from guiding for 9 straight days and hunt on his
own. "The birds have been working extremely tough, but I
finally got one," Lonnie remarked after his hunt. Lonnie
is one of the best turkey hunters we've had the pleasure to
have on our team, as many of our hunters request Lonnie as
their guide.

Talk about 1st time events. John Calabrese was able to
harvest the 1st bearded hen ever killed on M.B.O. property.
John's hen also sported a 6" beard. An unusual hunt, but a
very memorable one. Congratulations John!

Brad Usher, from Chester, IL finished his hunt in style - by 7:30
am on the first morning of his hunt. We had a double bearded
gobbler walk in a half moon around us, and not long after that bird
walked back into the timber, another gobbler came in 35 yards
behind us when Brad made an excellent shot. After tagging the
bird and giving high fives we heard another gobble in the field
where we were set up - and wouldn't you know, it there were 4
gobblers strutting in the decoys.

On May 6, the M.B.O. crew experienced another 1st. Jose
Gutierrez and Guides Butch Hobrock and Tom Jamison
harvested 3 gobblers out of the same blind. They called the
birds in from over 1/4 mile across a field - then 3 shots and
3 dead gobblers. Jose had his video camera and wanted to
know whether to video or shoot. Well, as you can see the
hunt wasn't captured on video, but ends as one of the best
hunts for M.B.O.

Guide Mark Singleton, was able to finish off our best turkey
season ever on May 7. We left the clubhouse over an hour early
that morning to walk 1/2 mile and setup less than 50 yards from
the roost without spooking birds off the roost. We called very
little - a couple tree yelps and clucks and the hunt was practically
over. The gobbler flew down into the decoys and 15 minutes after
shooting hours at 5:45 Mark killed the 22nd gobbler on M.B.O.
property this spring.

We would like to thank every hunter and guide that made this spring turkey season our
best ever. Without everyone of you, we wouldn't have had near the success we
experienced this spring. For those who have already booked for next year - Thank
You. We look forward to seeing you next spring. There are still hunts available, as we
just acquired another 2200 acres for next year.

As we finish planting food plots, and begin our quest to make the 2006 deer season
the best ever, feel free to give us a call with any questions you may have. There are
still a few food plots to get planted and our trail cameras will be put up this week. Be
sure to visit the Trail Camera page in the coming weeks as we watch the summer
progress to fall and see the ANTLERS GROW!