04/19/2025
Youth Hunt Success: Brody's First Gobbler!
As JT and I sit here in the woods this morning, I realized I hadn’t shared this awesome youth hunter story from this season—and it’s too good not to.
Meet Mr. Brody Hughes, 7 years old and the oldest son of a good friend of ours. We took him out last year during youth season, but the birds just weren’t having it. This year, we had more time to scout and found three longbeards hitting the same field every morning. We watched them roost every evening leading up to the hunt, but the night before youth day—nothing on the camera. JT and I both looked at each other like, “Hmm… where are they sleeping tonight?”
Next morning, Brody, his dad Jamie, JT, and I hit the woods early, well before daylight. We heard a distant gobble, but nothing close. Time crawled from 6 to 10 AM. Brody finally asked JT, “When are we moving?” JT said, “At 11.” Brody goes, “That’s less than an hour.” JT laughed and said, “Didn’t know you could tell time!”
Moments later—putt! JT freezes—they're on his side. I stand up and see the most beautiful sight: three strutting longbeards working our decoys. I told Brody to get ready. Jamie helped him line up the shot, but then Brody says, “Kristen, I can’t shoot—I don’t have my ear muffs on!”
His mom had told him not to shoot without them, and he wasn’t about to break the rule. I’m scrambling on the ground, digging through Little Debbies and water bottles looking for those darn muffs while the toms are strutting away. Finally found them and slapped them on his ears.
By now, the hen had pulled the toms out of range. I thought we were done—but JT worked his magic with one of his handmade mouth calls and pulled those birds back. Brody was ready this time. Ear muffs on, steady aim, and he laid the smackdown on his first gobbler!
So grateful for moments like this—passing on the love for turkey hunting and the thrill of the woods to the next generation.
