Mia & the Little Gal: Time for turkey

This time of year is pretty busy and time with my Little Gal, who is bigger than I am now, is precious. I guided a few special needs clients and had to put my attention toward them, so she had to hunt with someone besides Hank or me. It was her first time with someone else. She came up empty handed and I beat myself up for not being there to help her. I felt that if I would have been there, I could have made everything all right. I suppose it is part of growing up, and part of Mom letting go a little bit. But she IS still my Little Gal, even if she IS taller than I am.

In between big game hunting seasons, the Little Gal and I made it a point to spend quality time together.

What did we do?

We, of course, went hunting!

It was fall turkey season, so we set out to bag a gobbler. The two of us hiked until we spied a flock of turkeys down the valley from us. In my attempt to teach her to be a self-sufficient huntress, I asked the Little Gal if she’d like to wait in the brush for them to make their way up to us, or if she’d like to stalk and get closer. She decided we should get closer.

We slowly and quietly made our way down the valley and got closer to the turkeys. We got as close as we could until we came to an open meadow. Knowing we would be “busted” if we continued out into the open, we hid in the brush to quietly discuss our plan.

The Little Gal explained to me how we would cross the valley and then we would bust out into the clearing, scaring the birds off so we could call them back. I pondered her plan and decided it was a great one. We watched as the birds fed in the middle of the meadow. When they reached a small dip and couldn’t see us, I told Little Gal that she should move toward them on her own. We checked her safety and discussed how she should move quickly and still hold her gun safely. I felt a feeling of doubt pass over. Shouldn’t I be right by her side making everything “right?” I reassured myself that she was fully capable.

Then before I knew it, she was off!

I watched from the brush as she skirted 50 yards across the meadow and then took a sharp turn and moved STRAIGHT TOWARD THE TURKEYS! She shouted “Heck yeah!” as the turkeys began to scatter.

Note: Friends have explained this technique, and we’ve even read about this technique in articles. This is the first time we’ve attempted it. It did go a little different than we had been informed.

I watched as she appeared –almost in the midst of them.

In one smooth motion, she came to a halt, lifted her shotgun to her shoulder and shot. I watched in amazement as a bird flopped to the ground just 15 yards in front of her.

Can’t you just see her confidence? Little Gal is wearing Prois Hunting Apparel. Photo courtesy of Mia Anstine

Wow! The shotgun courses at Whittington, YHEC shooting, hunting articles and our many hunting adventures have taught her well. My Little Gal,  was proud to put dinner on the table, and I was proud at how she’s growing into a fine huntress as well as amazing young lady.

All smiles. She did all by herself! Photo courtesy of Mia Anstine

Regardless of her increasing hunting prowess, she will always be my Little Gal.

Winner, winner, turkey dinner! Not only did the Little Gal enjoy a wonderful hunt together, they ate healthy and organic turkey later that week. Photo courtesy of Mia Anstine

The Little Gal, and her mother, wear Prois Hunting Apparel’s line of camo when hunting together.