Originally Posted by superstrutter (Post 3925598)

Just got back from a successful 2 days in Texas. This wasn't done with an outfitter. I located the birds myself, with a whole lot of walking I might add, and called them myself. I have a friend who has some places in south Texas. I took the birds at three different locations. Most years there aren't many birds at these places, but this season was much better. Because of the good hatch two years ago, there were mostly 2 year old birds around. Because of the drought last Spring, there were no jakes. At least I didn't see a single jake. I believe all three birds I took were 3 year olds.That means there should be plenty of mature birds next year. Bird 1 weighed 21 lbs 4 oz, beard was 9.3", and both spurs were a little over an inch. He scored 62.975. Bird 2 weighed 18 lbs 10 oz, beard was 9", and spurs were 3/4" and 1 inch. He scored 54.125. Bird 3 weighed 19 lbs 5 oz, beard was 9", and spurs were both 1 inch.

Originally Posted by dog1 (Post 3925041)

Got another bird this morning. JW! has the stats and they are written down where I clean game animals and fish, so I think the following is correct.

Stats: 19 1/4 lb., 1st beard-11 & 3/8 in., 2nd beard-11.0 in., RS-1.0 inch, LS-3/4 inch (part was broken off would probably gone an inch, but what do I know)

We can't kill but 3 in GA., so arrow my friend, Team 3 is now on a roll and you better be glad I can't hunt out of state, heck me, JW!, and JoeA would clean y'alls clock.

Now you have a good day!

dog1

Originally Posted by superstrutter (Post 3925941)

Went back to my property this morning after hunting in Texas, Sat. 3/31. It was very foggy, so I wasn't sure how the birds would act, that is if there were any left. A couple of guys have been hunting the same birds. I heard one gobbling down the line, right next to where one of the hunters has his ground blind. I knew It would be difficult to call this bird in if the hunter was in his blind. I went down near the boundary line to set up. I was about 75 yards inside my property from the boundary line. I was about 350 to 400 yards from where the blind was on the other property. I started to do a little soft calling while the bird was still on roost. He answered me a few times. When I could tell he was on the ground, I started a little more aggressive calling. This is when I heard the other hunter start calling. It was now a calling contest, one that I would win. I already had the gobblers attention, so I just let the hunter overcall the birds right out of his setup. A little more soft calling and I had the gobbler coming on a string. He pops out on the line about 50 yards out, but he is not alone. Another longbeard is with him. When I see he is getting no closer and the hunter continuously calling, I decide it's time to take him. I shoot and he goes down. The shot was 48 yards. This is one of the best birds I have taken. He's not the heaviest by any means, but he has matching 1 1/4" spurs. He weighed 19 lbs 2 oz and had an 11" beard. He officially scores 66.125.

Originally Posted by Arrowmaster (Post 3930501)

Heres my Missouri bird.