You Will Shoot Your Eye Out

Claude Strother is an avid outdoorsman. He hunts and fishes and has always kept a journal of his experiences.

In his 82 years, he has learned to become an expert turkey caller. His friends and family take him with them to call.

Since 1975, he has had 247 kills, including four Royal Slams and eight Grand Slams. Strother has helped his loved ones take over 75 turkeys by doing the calling.

Even when one of his friends takes a turkey, he jots it down in his journal.

His latest story is one he will never forget.

“It was big,” Strother said. “It was a monster.”

It isn’t a big buck or a monster bass Strother is talking about, and this time, he was the one being hunted.

Last Friday, Strother decided to take a short turkey hunting excursion in Wilcox County. It was there that a bobcat attacked him.

“All of a sudden, I thought somebody hit me with a baseball bat,” Strother recalled. “Knocked me forward and I looked back and nothing, then I looked forward and this giant bobcat was trotting off.”

Strother wasn’t seriously injured, and he was able to take photos of his injuries. The bobcat’s claws left gashes in his face, close to his eyes.

Although his head was sore for a few days, he said he plans to go right back to the same spot and call for turkeys. His inspirational story serves as a reminder never to let fear get in the way of life’s adventures.