Here's how it happened... Things lined up in the afternoon at work today. I was feeling the excitement building up abit as I thought about The possibility I might get out for a stand or two this afternoon/evening. As I drove home I was running the options through my mind as to where to go. We've all been there, thinking about past spots we've been to and had sucess. Oh! But then you think about that place you saw on Google earth last night. Where to go? That is the question. But as always we follow our gut feelings, sometimes they're right and sometimes there not. I decided to stay close to home so I didn't waste time driving.
Got home checked with my awesome wife (of 35 years) it was a definite go. Changed clothes, loaded the 4wheeler in the back of the truck and headed out. The first stand was a blank except for the 875,000 mosquitos. Although I've discovered those mesh kill suits save you from being an involuntary blood donor. I put good repellant on my face, wear gloves and no bites. It sure makes for frustrated mosquitoes and comfort for me.
The cloud cover was getting darker and darker and looked like a storm was brewing. I went to the next stand. It didn't look like near as good of a spot as my last one but I thought, "what the heck, I'll walk in anyway". I got set up against a sage brush on abit of a knoll, with a new hay field to my left and greasewood brush on the other three sides. The wind was blowing from my right to left. That made it impossible for me to be winded buy the big male when he came in.
I stared calling... Used some bird distress, vocals, 5 different kiyis (both mouth and electronic) for about 40 minutes. It looked pretty bleak. Thought I would actually be silly enough to use the oldest WORNOUT trick in the book! YEP! The rabbit and no fancy wabbit just go old Jack himself, full bore, loud as heck. One minute later I spooted him trotting into the jack rabbit call. He stopped at about 150 yards out to check out the situation. I softened the sound way down and bumped it again. He started trotting again kinda towards me on an angle. As you know when they're trotting on the move is the time to set the rock River on the shooting sticks and get moved into position. He stopped again at 95 yards full frontal view. Every so lightly gave the trigger a squeeze and you guessed it "THWAP"!