I got my first longbird last Friday. Been at it for 10 years or so but only started to 'get it' the last couple. Bird numbers have be really down in PA and this is now the third year running I haven't heard a gobble. Luckily the hens were talking on roost and I was able to figure out where they were and I figured they went one of two ways. Luckily they went the way that was accessible on public via a 1 mile loop. I caught up to them shortly after nine, ran a quick circle and get to a spot just as a longbeard and two jakes were coming across the opposite way into the hens. Couple clucks and scratches and he wondered right over.
I've had the bug since I first called one in off roost back in 2014 but it's been a rough run the last few years. The only move I had was to roost birds, which worked well at the time but there aren't that many anymore and they don't gobble like they did. It's taken some time to re-adjust and learn from some killers I know, but I think I'm rehooked.
51" longbird, 10 3/4" beard, 1 1/4" spurs
We definitely had a good hatch last year, lot's a jakes running around. Hoping for another good hatch this year and some better hunting next.