OUTDOOR TRUTHS: Plan B
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It was the last few days of the season, and this gobbler had outwitted me for days. He roosted in the same place nearly every night. Almost every morning he would let me know he was there. And in turn I would let him know I was there too, even though I would hide my true identity with a soft cluck, purr, or yelp. Because he was older, he never got out of character. After all, it was the hen’s obligation to come to where he was. Therefore, he never moved from his area. He would gobble on the roost, fly down, then gobble and strut until the hen joined him. This particular morning, I decided to push the envelope and get as close as possible, knowing that I might get too close and be seen either by him or a hen. I was hoping the new spring foliage would block my movement. It did. And there I sat, as close as I had ever set up to him before. He gobbled. I purred. Then another hen decided that she was not going to let me have any chance at her man. So, for the next several minutes, she made every sound a turkey can make. And every time she did, my tom would respond. I tried to compete, but I knew she would eventually fly down and go straight to him. Sure enough, down she came only about 50 yards in front of me and went directly to where he was waiting. My plan was thwarted again.
As I sat there, analyzing what just happened, I remembered that I knew where they were going. I knew where he was leading her. I switched to plan B. I knew the small farm road behind me would lead around a steep corner to where they would be. And sure enough, as I made the turn, I could see them just over a small rise. As the hen made her way up the hill to my right, the tom began to follow in full strut and pursuit. I raised my gun and dropped him about 40 yards away. Those are actually the kinds of hunts that are not only the most enjoyable, but also the most memorable.
When I think about it, most of my plans are of the B sort. Rarely do things happen as I originally planned. Rarely do situations and circumstances go as I predict. And people’s responses are not always what I expect. The truth is, life rarely follows plan A. Solomon put it this way. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Prov 16:9) What he is saying is this. It is good to make plans, but success is not in the plans. It’s in the direction that comes from God, which might come from plan B. And plan B with God will always be the most memorable – and the most successful.
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■ Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Stay updated on Outdoor Truths each week by subscribing at Outdoortruths.org.
