Gobblers and Morels: Morel of the Week begins off Turkey of the Week

Joe Gusich starts Morel of the Week with finds while turkey hunting in southern Illinois. | Provided

Let’s start Morel of the Week doubled up with Turkey of the Week.

As Mike Sehring emailed, ``Another bonus to spring turkey hunting.’’

His friend Joe Gusich bagged his tom turkey of 23 pounds with an 11-inch beard and one-inch spurs. He was hunting with his brother-in-law the second season in southern Illinois in the Shawnee National Forest.

“It took over an hour to call the bird in, until he finally committed,” Sehring emailed. “It was a 25-yard shot.”

Sehring indicated the group is from Canaryville on the South Side.

“We have a small hunting cabin in Johnson County, just outside of the Shawnee,” Sehring emailed. “Named Camp Whack-a-way.”

Bonus came with a good batch of morels on the same trip.

Joe Gusich bagged a big tom turkey second season in southern Illinois.

TOTW, the celebration of the stories of turkey hunting around Chicago outdoors, runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times as warranted. MOTW, the celebration of foraging for morels in spring, runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times as warranted. Normally, TOTW and MOTW run separately.

Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).