SWOSUMike

I for one consider turkeys kind of like ducks in that if you can call one in, it's a shooter. Now, by that I mean a legal bearded turkey. Of course I'd like to get a big bird one day, but I get excited about any bird I call in. For example, tonight I shot a turkey that I am sure some would pass on, but I was thrilled to call him and his buddy in. I might have even let him pass, but I thought he had a double beard so I took him, although he did not have a double...just looked like it when he was coming in. Now that I have two birds only 4 days in to the season, I am going to make my third bird be a really nice one, and he has to be better than both of my other two for the season for me to shoot him, and it has to be in a different county than the one I got my two birds in. How about you guys? Now, everybody be honest. If you would shoot a jake, then say it...it doesn't matter what anybody says about what you enjoy hunting. I say if you can call in a bird, then you've got the right to pop him. If you honestly can say that you only shoot 11 inch beards, then say that.

jashoffa

This being my first year I would take a jake in a heartbeat. I will take a bearded hen if I call one in, if it is legal for me to shot it and I call it in I am shooting it if I clean line of site and the bird is close enough! Now if I get one under the belt then that might change but for my first bird I will make it was I can. I paid for the tag I would like to be able to use it!!!!



Reading my post over I noticed I used "If" a lot, I guess that means I am not confindent...Well there is reason for that, I'm not!

SWOSUMike

Good posts, guys...keep them coming. Jashoffa...I agree - you paid for a tag and you should get your first bird. Ridge Runner...I think getting some good spurs on a bird would be pretty cool, too, though I've never really given much thought to them since I'm more of a beard guy myself....actually, I am a meat guy. Give me some good grilled wild turkey breast!! I think for few nights I am going to video tape hunt since I already have a limit in my main hunting county. I live on the county border, so I have plenty of good hunting left in other counties, but not on my main place...limited out. Therefore, I think I am going to try to do some calling of birds for footage. I also plan to head to the southeast part of the state and see if I can't make my final season bird an Eastern! Keep the posts coming, guys.

sour01

I have taken several long beards myself. But if I had not taken a bird all season and it was the last day or close to it and a jake came into range---I suspect I would take it.

Tree climber

I think it depends on the hunter. a trophy bird to one , may not be a trophy to another. if you want to take a jake and he is legal,I feel that is OK.I have taken many young birds,4" to 5" beards(jakes).it's like taking a spike buck.I see nothing wrong with it , if you feel good about it.
If you own the property and want to leave them to become 3 or 4 year old birds,thats ok also.

for one hunter to condemn another for there hunting tactics ; as long as they are legal,IMHO is just not right.do your own thing.
I don't takes jakes anymore,thats just me.I have taken mant birds and love to bring them in,the shot is the iceing.

strut

I like'um all, those jakes eat real goodddddd. Does that answer your question?

MKMGOBL

I personally won't go and set up on a bird I know is a jake. However, if I'm out there working a bird and he's giving me a good hunt and making me to put my skills through the test and he turns out to be a jake! he's dead
A few of my best hunts were not "trophy birds" and few of the ones that I consider worth mounting on the wall were not my best hunts as far as challenge goes So for me I'd have to say it's all about the hunt.

paintbrush

I will take a jake only as a last resort.I've taken a couple of dozen birds or better and 3 of those have been jakes that I have taken on the last day of the hunts.Being from Minnesota,where your lucky to get e turkey tag every other year or worse,all 3 of my jakes have been taken on out of state hunts.

FroMan

If I have a choice to pick...say, jake and longbeard comes in. I'll take the gobbler. If a shot on the gobbler doesn't present itself I'll let them go.

If I've hunted hard all day, and have a jake tag left to fill, and a jake comes in, I'll blast it.

I have no pride here. With only two turkeys under my belt, I'll about take what I can.

Annie Oakley

I'm not at that point with birds where I'll be picky. If it's legal it's mine. I go out each time just sure that the boss of the woods will be there putting on a show for me and be in my line of fire! And if I'm really really really lucky, I could whup Bldhound.....hey it can happen....maybe this year..........