Nothing can replace loosing my Dad as my hunting partner, but gaining my oldest daughter sure comes close! We have now begun our hunting partnership and she has a good early start. The Heinrich turkey stories will continue.

Wednesday morning we set up along a wooded fenceline overlooking an alfalpha field right across the road from our house (thanks again Brent) and were ready to hunt by 5:30. 2 toms pitched down about 5:40 about 150 yards away. Lots of gobbling ensued and we talked back and forth. I got them to about 100 yards and then the hens pitched down. Damn hens! The hens and 2 toms stayed within 250 yrds of us all morning so we could at least see them – to help keep Taylor occupied. A rooster and hen pheasant walked all around us crowing and putting on a show. I was watching the 2 toms strutting around and then heard a different gobbler. I thought it was behind us in a soil bank field but turns out it was directly in front of us and coming straight at us. He was about 70 yards out and could see the decoys. He got as close as about 50 yards and then started to circle around. I was just giving him some soft calls and moving my jake and hen decoys with strings to give some movements. After about 10 minutes of this, he couldn’t take it anymore. He gobbled at us at about 40 yards and then came in on a bee-line. Going in and out of strut all the way in. What a perfect show! He came in to the jake decoy at about 15 yards and started bluff charging it and pecking at it. I told Taylor to shoot when she felt comfortable. She waited until he was clear of the decoys and the neck was out-stretched and she absolutely smashed him at about 18 yards! The look on her face was priceless and she said “I got him!”. Lots of hugging and maybe even a tear or two were shed (by me). I couldn’t have been prouder – she did it perfectly. It wasn’t until after we looked at the bird and were looking at places to take pictures that I fully realized where we were hunting. We were set up within 15 yards of where Dad and I shared our first turkey hunt together 9-Springs ago and Dad took his first bird. The rock pile in the background of the pictures is where Dad and I had set up. That was the perfect addition to our story and will always be very special to me and Taylor. I am sure Grandpa was helping hold that barrel steady!

This was Taylor’s first game animal and what a beauty.
21 pounds, 10-inch beard, 7/8″ spurs shot at 7:45 am on April 28, 2010

The End,
Ben
(PS – we each have tags for the 5th season too!!) She already is asking when we can go again – and that is music to my ears!

Robert “Bob” Heinrich, age 65, of Sarona, WI formerly of Roberts, WI died Thursday, April 1, 2010 at his home in Sarona.

He was born July 10, 1944 in St. Paul, MN to Robert and Florence (Leuer) Heinrich. After graduating from the Harding High School in St. Paul in 1962 he entered the US Marines serving in Naval Intelligence from 1962 – 1965. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to St. Paul. Bob was employed by 3M in Product Development until retirement in 2001. He had also co-owned and operated the Sidetrack Saloon in Roberts, WI. In addition to his love for his family and friends, he loved to hunt, fish, play cards, bowl, golf, darts and shoot pool. Bob was a founding member of the Happy Hookers Fishing Club.

Bob Heinrich is survived by his wife, Diane Heinrich of Sarona, WI; a son, Benjamin (Wendy) Heinrich of Hammond, WI; a daughter, Amy Jo (Todd) Ballew of St. Paul, MN; 3 grandchildren, Taylor, Peyton and Jordyn; his mother, Florence Dumer of White Bear Lake, MN; 3 brothers, Gary (Terry) Dumer of Alabama, Richard (Cindy) Dumer of Ladysmith, WI and Donald (Joyce) Dumer of White Bear Lake, MN; 2 sisters, Diane (Richard) Pelletier of Cameron, WI and Beverly (James) Lau of Ham Lake, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, step father and grandparents.

A Service of Remembrance will be held 11:30 AM Monday, April 5, 2010 at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI, interment will be 2:30 PM Monday at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery at Spooner, WI, where Military Rites will be accorded by the State Honor Guard. Friends may call from 10 AM – 11:30 AM Monday at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals.