While out scouting and shooting pix this morning, I had the opportunity to catch a stud tom doing what he lives to do.  Other than longshot encounters from considerable distance, I have never caught turkeys in the act.  Today was different.  I stumbled across a tom breeding a hen and snapped a few pix.  When he was done with her, another hen scooted right up to him and squatted. I ran closer to get a better shot and snapped pix as the second hen was stomped into sumbmission. It was a pretty crazy encounter with turkeys in the midst of their spring fling. 

I got out this morning with my buddy, John Hafner, for some early spring turkey pix.  The boys were struttin' their stuff!  Good times!

Crazy stuff...

Our Montana winter went out with a bang once again, dumping one of the biggest snows of the year on us on the last day of winter. About as quick as the kids could get excited, the temps warmed back up to nearly 50, melting snow off the targets once again. Spring is here! Great things are coming up soon as we continue to roll thru the season of a hunter.

I had the opportunity to be the speaker for the WC Sportsmen's Dinner in Lancaster, PA this past weekend.  The event is hosted by the Worship Center Church, and I can honestly say, these guys do it about as good as anyone I've seen. In its 9th year, the event saw over 1500 men, women, boys, and girls show up for an evening of food, hunting seminars, fellowship, and prizes.  Lots of prizes in fact. Mathews Creed bows, crossbows, muzzleloaders, treestands, climbing sticks, fishing rods, gift certificates, and tons of other killer prizes were distributed at this event. It was a sight to behold. But the best part of the evening was that 139 decisions were made for the Lord. That is the reason for all the investment of time, energy, and funds. To see people drawn to Lord. I was blessed to be a part of the work these guys are doing in Lancaster, PA. Keep it up, guys!  Next year's event will feature Randy Mcpherson of Mathews.

Branden's update on his weekend chasing ground squirrels with the family...

With cabin fever setting in and warming temps, we made full use out of this weekend in the VanDyken household.  Saturday was spent shooting our gun, getting ready for spring bears. Sunday was nice enough to head out for some
ground squirrels. My wife, Kari, took the early lead, making me have to play catch up.  She ended up drawing first and last blood. We tied on kills though! Even B got in on the action. He made sure to stick every one we got, again.  He also made some very close shots of his own.  He will get his this spring. The season never ends!  Be sure to include the family! They will enjoy it.

I found a big flock of turkeys coming down the hill after fly-down.  Last week they weren't strutting at all. This week they are all blown up!  New birds in a new spot.  Time to knock on some doors! 

I got out for a quick turkey run this morning with my baby boy, Remi, to see if the birds had turned on yet.  Last week they weren't strutting at all.  This morning however, things were different. The boys were doing their thing!  Big gobblers and the jakes were struttin' their stuff.  It was also good to hear the first gobbles of the season. It never gets old!