By Nicholle Howard
For our fifth anniversary this year, I asked Russell if we could pitch a tent at our club, have a bonfire, and hunt turkeys the next day. That night over the fire we reminisced about past hunts. We prayed we would have a safe and successful hunt the next day. Well, by 6:00 the next morning, Russell and I had already set up on a gobbler.

The turkey got so close that when it started to drum it felt like the whole ground was shaking. I was unable to get a shot on the turkey, so Russell decided to take it. I was so excited that while he went back to clean the turkey, I went slipping around on different green fields hoping to harvest my own turkey.

I had never tried to hunt a turkey on my own. I had always gone with Russell and my father-in-law. It is easier to rely on them for everything: what call to use, where to set up, when to yelp, and when to sit quietly. I was on my own this time and somewhat intimidated by everything. As I approached the third green field that I had snuck upon, I noticed three gobblers in the middle of the road, strutting and pecking around. I just knew they saw me. I had always been told that If I can see them they can definitely see me. well, I ducked into the woods and sat against a nearby tree. I yelped every so often in hopes I hadn’t scared them off, After a few moments, I heard them ease off into the woods.

I continued to yelp sporadically, and sure enough they continued to ease their way towards me. To my surprise, just ahead of me three turkey heads bobbed up and down just above arise in front of me. I took the first gobbler that kept his head above the knob long enough for me to get set and shoot a clean shot. I was so excited when I shot him that I jumped up and ran the woods not looking down to see if there were any snakes. Both of my legs were shaking so badly I honestly thought I was going to fall down.

When I returned to the clubhouse with a gobbler on the front of our four-wheeler my husband was so proud of me.
I know this wedding anniversary will always be a very special day for the both of us. We both were doing what brought us together in the first place and what we will continue to do as a family since now we have a one-year old daughter.

Hunting is a family tradition that passes along values, perseverance, and most importantly hope.