S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

My dad killed this over the weekend in Richland County. It was 27.5 pounds with an 11 inch beard and 1-inch spurs. Don't know if that is big, little, or what, I just know that he is so proud he keeps telling me about it over and over. Funny thing is that they did not even have turkeys around there when i was growing up and now they are all over the place.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

Yo Lanse - if your Dad was in the HNI Spring Turkey contest he would be leading Big Bird section!

Anytime you shoot an Eastern specie over 60 points - you have shot a mature bird for sure!

Your NWTF score
Your score is 27.5 + 10 + 10 + 22 = 69.5

JW

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

I'll pass the word along to him. As for me, I'm just looking forward tosmoking the turkey's breast and then using the rest in my annual wild game gumbo during next hunting season.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

Big bird, congrats to him

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

That's a heavy bird. That is the third bird I've heard of down there that has went over 25 pounds. They must have feed well this winter.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

Thats a really nice gobbler. Congrats to your dad!

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

That is a good one,hope he has that one mounted.I use to live in Crawford County don't think i ever heard of one taken at home that weighed that mutch.Congrats!!!!!

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

Yeah, he is getting the tail spread and maybe the head mounted. He got it about 3/4 of a mile from his house down between Claremont and Berryville.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

Heavy bird. kinda amazin that with that kind of weight he only had 1" spurs. course they could have been wore down from old age.
Still a monster mature bird. congrats to him.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

It was my dad's first bird and he was hunting with a Mennonite neighbor, so it was not exactly a crack staff in terms of doing the measurements on the thing. Hell, i didnt even know that 27 pounds was a really big one.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

well here is an idea. in IL that weight would put him as the number 7 bird for weight according to the NWTF records. the 7th biggest in the records for weight is a pretty big bird

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

Dunno if i should tell him that. Dunno if his head can handle the additional swelling.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

thats one big freaking turkey!!!!! congrats to your dad

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

Thats cool I use to coon hunt over at Claremont coon club been about 15 years last time I was there.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

Small world. When I was growing up, we lived right behind the Claremont coon hunters club before my parents bought the place south of Claremont. Haven't been to any of their events in years but i think they are still going strong. I know that they hosted some sort of big competition a few years back.

Talked to my dad last night and told him what folks were saying. So, I guess he takes bragging rights among the few turkey hunters in that area for this spring.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

WOW, that is a heavyweight with a dandy beard! I can't believe that he had smallish spurs though??? Were the spurs broke or seriously worn ??? It's just hard to believe that a 2 year old bird could have had a weight and beard like that but I've never seen a 3 year old that didn't have longer spurs? Regardless, CONGRATS to your ol' man for a great trophy gobbler!

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

I forgot to ask my dad about the spurs. Will check with him during my next call home.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

my bet is that they are gonna be rounded off or broke from fighting. if its a rocky area they will naturally wear down and sometimes they do break off during fighting in the breeding season and pecking orders.

RE: S.E. Illinois Turkey
 

Shoot, what I wouldn't give for that to be my first bird. Congrats to your ol'd pop. AndI don't find it hard to belive he sadi it over and over and over again:D