An incredible hunt

ward the turkey hunt.

When the winner’s name was called as “E. Johnson,” it took a minute for people to figure out who the winner was.

“It finally dawned on me, that’s Everett,” said Lone Star Outdoor News’ David J. Sams.

Johnson, an accomplished turkey hunter and the owner of the Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, showed up at the

Stonewall County ranch during the first week of the North Zone spring season with a vest loaded down with turkey calls.

He didn’t really need them.

The next morning, the full moon was setting, making the skies bright before 7 a.m. Turkeys started to arrive shortly after flying over the fence onto the ranch from their roost on the neighboring property.

“There has been four to six coming every day,” Sams said. Temperatures were cool, in the mid-40s, with a 20 mph wind. The birds were quiet until some real light gobbling was heard from a few areas around 7:30 a.m.

“Don’t call until they are right in front,” Sams told Johnson from his spot under mesquite trees about 10 feet away.

Three hens walked toward

Everett Johnson resisted the urge to call until after he took a nice tom just before 8 a.m.

He then played with other birds in the area with his slate calls and sat back and watched a great show.