Alabama Rainout

Despite being in the south, Alabama in March is in step with much of the rest of the country's extended winter. Of course, NRA’s Jim Porter, guide Albert "Chubby" Parnell and NRA Publications’ photographer Forrest MacCormack weren’t about to let the cold temps and rain keep them from giving it a try and were at it again well before sunrise.

As the group set up and hunkered down in the rain, it seemed the turkeys had the same idea: to sit on the roost and not make a peep! Despite situating themselves on several key spots on the property and tempting birds with a variety of of turkey calls, the gobblers stuck to a “silence is golden” routine.

So with breakfast—and a roaring fire—calling, the trio headed back to the house—for now. Of course, a good challenge never stops an avid turkey hunter for long.

“This sort of hunting is hunting in its purest form,” said Porter. “Turkeys—especially Eastern turkeys in spring—are very challenging to hunt. You have to rely on your hunting knowledge, be a good woodsman and be patient."

The rain should clear in a few hours so Porter and crew will give it a shot (hopefully literally) this afternoon! Once the birds start talking, the game is on, and Porter just happens to have a Remington High Velocity No. 4 magnum shell with a big, juicy Eastern’s name on it. If he gets his bird, you'll read it here first.