Ok guys here it is after three days of hunting I finally got on and figured this bird out. Which is the only longbeard that I seen all weekend. I tried him for 2 1/2 days with no close encounters. Hens would always ruin things or a group of jakes would run him off. cant wait till next year with all the two year olds running around. Anyway this morning I really closed the gap on him. When he flew down with the two hens that always seem to be with him they headed up hill away from me. Knowing that yelping at him with hens was not going to work all I threw at him was soft purrs and clucks. The hens turned around and came trotting back my way bringing him in tow. the hens got passed me and when he hit the 20 yard mark I dropped him. Not a very exciting kill but hard earned after the last few days.

Merriams
Nebraska
Shotgun
6:30 am 5-26-14
17 lbs
9" beard
L-R spur 13/16"

The pic of me and the bird with gun shows me in blue jeans. I had to wait for my buddy to get back to snap the pic so I had started changing for the trip home. Slipped my vest back on for the photo. Just incase anyone would want to dispute the fact that im in blue jeans. Sorry captian but im about to take this personnel. I will send you pics and a pick of the 5 beards.