Mine was in 1997 - 11 1/4" beard, 1 9/16" matching hooks, 23.5 pounds. I doubt I ever kill a higher scoring natural bird. Rough sounding gobble on that guy.

A couple years ago, I killed a bruiser during the last week of the season - 20 pounds, 1 5/8" hook on one side, the other was broken at 3/4. Beard broken off evenly at 6". Lots of loose skin in the head - and I'm sure he was pushing 23-24 pounds on opening day. I should have had him mounted - could have been my best bird ever if he was still in one piece, and I'd have gotten to him earlier. This guy couldn't even gobble anymore - sounded like he was hoarse. I only heard him gobble once, and it was at about 15 yards.

Been through a lot of turkeys between, before and since those two, but those were the truemountain monarchs.

Man, I am getting turkey fever - big time. I can't wait to hear that first gobble of 2007.