Got my first gobbler
 

Only saw 2 opening day but heard a ton in the woods and in the background of the pic you can see the dam for my duck impoundment. I could hear a ton of them in there, had been raining hard last few days and we just had it disced up so figured they were in there eating grubs/worms.

Luckily I also had my old 870 pump with me along with my Benelli. I needed the full choke and 30" barrel for this guy as he wasnt having anything to do with my decoy and I shot him at around 30 yards. Probably wouldnt have gotten him with my other shotgun. Too bad he was just a baby. Only 11" beard, spurs about 3/4" and weighed around 20 pounds. Will be taking him to my taxidermist and having a decoy made out of him for next year.

Now I just need the real Toms to show up but I figured this would happen. Saw them all day from Jan-March and then come April 1st they all go on vacation.

Congrats, but if he is just a baby in your eyes, why shoot him? I hope you are just joking. A 20 pounder is no baby.

Couldnt tell his spur size because he was so far out and I have read that anything under 1" is a younger bird. But I have seen bigger birds over the last few months. From now on Im letting everything walk that isnt a monster. I just wanted to get my first one out of the way and I guess he isnt that bad. Hes about as big as the pictures that have been popping up on my facebook that my friends shot.

Probably this bird's 3 rd. spring. Certainly a nice gobbler and congradulations. You gotta realize about every predator out there eats turkleys ... coyotes, foxes, owls, hawks, bobcats, skunks, pole cats, crows, etc. all do a number on eggs, poults and adults. For a turkey to get to 4-5 years old down this way is probably pretty rare.

Try not to get caught up in chasing only "giant" gobblers. Two year old birds can be just as fun to hunt and they taste just as good. It's not about the size of the lonbeard, but the hunt itself. I'm just as happy with a 2 yr. old as I am a 3 or 4 yr. old. Sure, we would all like to kill birds with inch and a half spurs, but that's not what turkey hunting is all about. Just go out and have a great time and be proud of whatever you kill. Again congrats on your first. Be proud of it, it's a great bird.

Hey, Man. It's OK to smile at the camera. :biggrin:

Nice tom!

Can only shoot 5 per season and since I hate the taste of them Im just gonna pass on everything unless its Tomzilla. I just dont like killing anything I have no intentions of eating. This one's fate was already decided to be a decoy so I will probably shoot only one more and only if he looks like a Velociraptor.

Very nice bird. Congrats...

good job but no baby in my eyes

no baby in my eyes either 11 inch beard very nice and 20 lbs. they dont get much bigger in my area! congrats.

If you don't like killing anything you have no intentions of eating, why kill it? Just call them in and take pictures if your not going to eat them.
Just make sure the meat doesn't go to waste. Someone will definately eat them. You obviously have never had wild turkey cooked right. Seasoned fried turkey strips are awesome. Can only shoot 5 per season? That's funny. Only 5. There are many hunters who would love the chance to take 2. I can't believe any state allows that many turkeys to be shot. It's a wonder you have enough turkeys to hunt. Good luck hunting Tomzilla. If you get him, show us the pics.

Congrats on your bird, cant believe you," hate the taste of them. '' I guess to each his own

Nice Bird for any hunter to bag,I agree he is not a Jake but a mature bird even if he is only 2 or so. Good job.

Cant stand wild hog either. My dad usually gives the turkeys he shoots every year to the poor blacks that live in front of our farm. At least someone gets a good meal.

I think the high number is because we seem to have an over population of turkeys maybe? I was seeing 30-40 per frame on my trial cams when I had corn out for dear. Everything from hens of all sizes, jakes, and lots of Toms. Theres also a group of 5 massive Toms that always hung out together and always showed up together on camera but I assume this time of year they have split up for mating.

Nice gobbler to take for a first bird
Congrats
GE

Awesome,Congrats on a fine bird.

Congrats Man !

Nice tom! Very nice! An 11" beard is a very respectable turkey. If you got bigger ones, don't tell too many people.

Wrapping a tag around a 2yo tom is better than a tag sandwich anyday.

Nice bird congrats!

GREAT BIRD! Congrats.....Sadly however I think you've missed what the allure of turkey hunting can be for ya. To say you can "only" shoot 5 is silly and to think this bird is "just" a "baby". Man you are missin' the point. It ain't deer hunting.

You also can't tell me you know the difference between a 20 lb gobbler and a 25 pound gobbler by lookin at them. Thing is..who cares? That 5 yr old, long spurred, old warrior can be a scrawny 16 lber.

I've seen a lot of gobblers get dropped (not all by me) and I can't think of pretty well any where me or the hunter took the time to analyze the spur size. In some circumstances you might get a good look and see but now you're telling me about distinguishing 1/8's of inches on a little growth off thier leg with your naked eye. Now if you got 2 birds in your sights I sure have picked the nicer beard of the 2. (11 inch beard is exceptional by the way!)

You're listenting to the wrong people if you're focused on size. Enjoy the hunt man. If you get a mature bird (anything over 2yrs old) and he gave you a good duel then stand over him and enjoy it regardless of what his stats end up being. And when you're done share the meat with your neighbours in front of the farm. That is very kind of ya.

good hunting.....

Great bird! Did you say ONLY 11" beard? I've been turkey hunting for 12 years now and still havent got one over 10" beard.

Remember, this is his first turkey. He probably doesn't know any better that the size of the bird don't matter.

Got that right. Dont know about the rest of you guys, but when I see a "tom", im aiming to kill it regardless of analyzing how big the beard is.

LOL!!! I doubt he's kidding

Very nice bird. All these guys are right. The size isn't everything. We're not trophy hunting like some people do with deer. I've taken a 25 lb bird a few years back and I took a 23 lb six spurred bird last year. To even think of expecting to match the qualities of these birds, I am going to be disappointed many times. The only thing I distinguish between when turkey hunting is whether it is a mature tom or a jake or hen. I also only shoot what I plan to eat. Feeding the hungry is a fine idea. But most people that use those programs tend to be trophy hunters, and trophy hunters only. They usually don't care much about population control (taking does). To me, I am getting something to eat and the enjoyment of the outdoors while doing it, and maybe a trophy if it presents itself. My turkey hunting is no different than my deer hunting.

Was it legal to carry both shotguns at the same time? I'm not familiar with your state's laws. Just know that most states won't allow that.

That is amazing! I've never heard of a multiple spurred bird. Do you happen to have any pictures? Not that I dont believe you by any means, but I would just love to see what that looks like.