VTbowman Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Went out last Sunday morning for a quick turkey hunt. Really not expecting to much from our area as the birds are just not up here very thick in NW Vermont yet. They just opened the season up here the last few years. I got out late, around 8:30, and took a walk up the back fence line calling every 200 yards or so with absolutely nothing sounding off to my calls. I was gonna just bag it if I did not raise anything but decided to walk up to check out the trees the forester marked for cutting. Calling every so often on my way up to the top of the ridge. As I was getting ready to go back down over the "rim" and I hear a faint gobble way off on the back property. I yelp and he answers. I walk back up about 50 yards to start looking for a tree but can't find one that is wide enough nor not in full sun shine. I finally pick the "best" one (a small double trunk) and set out a hen decoy about 12 yards away. I start clucking and purring only and he cuts me off. He is comng fast. Then I hear another right behind me coming in as well. I called in 2 jakes and a Tom. Great. Now I have to deal with 3 sets of eyes and I have zero cover around me. They skirt around me at about 40 yards but kept an eye on the deek (or me I could not tell). Lucky for me the wind was moving it slightly and making it turn the same direction they were circling. They go behind a small knoll and all I can see is the top 1/2 the their necks and their heads. They mingle around over there for about 10 minutes switching spots now anbd again and I ended up loosing which one was the Tom. Feeling like the whole time at least one of them was watching me as the other 2 were walking around. I swear they were trying to get me to move. Meanwhile, I dropped my striker beside my leg but could not "feel" it and I can not move to look for it. I reach for another, pull it free and give a few soft purrs to draw them back. The Tom responds and wanders back around the front of the knoll but keeping behind brush, sappling and now my neighbors freaking maple suger lines. I pick a spot and decide if he walks threw it it go time. He does and I dropped the hammer on him at about 30+ yards. 19 lbs with a double beard (7.5" and 7.75") but no spurs at all. Ok maybe at 1/8" each. Weird. http://www.hunt101.com/img/493443.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 a BIG CONGRATS on a nice bird Shawn ,,, :cool: All I've encountered on my 2 trips are hens, and alot of them,, I would have expected to see atleast a jake with them but nope,, just hens... GLAD,, you nailed a Vermont bird tho ... WAY TA GO !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Attaboy...Way to go Shawn!!!! And a double beard to boot! Congrats bud...I know you're hunting tuff turkey hunting country up there. I read an article that said less than 1% of birds harvested have no spurs. Multiple bearded birds are the most common oddity. Never have heard of one (until now) that had multiple beards and no spurs. Needless to say, you killed a unique trophy gobbler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted May 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 a BIG CONGRATS on a nice bird Shawn ,,, :cool: All I've encountered on my 2 trips are hens, and alot of them,, I would have expected to see atleast a jake with them but nope,, just hens... GLAD,, you nailed a Vermont bird tho ... WAY TA GO !! Thats about 1000x better then when you and I hunted up there a couple years ago Luke. LOL I am sure you will see a bird or two to wack. Thanks Rhino. Its not an easy area with so few birds. I feel quite lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Congrats on a nice bird. First I have ever heard of 2 beards and no spurs. What a trophy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 congrats Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 WTG------Conglads on a good gobbler. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest outdoorgirl Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Congrats on your turkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutter10x Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 great bird VT....congrates......no spurs....ya wierd....genetic freak....lol..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HoppeMan Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Congrats on the bird! I'd take double beards over spurs any day of the week Gotta love those 870's, eh? My Dad shoots one, and it's a beauty Take care, Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted May 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Yeah when I 1st went to my bird I did not see the beard and saw the absence of spurs so I thought I had shot one of the 2 jakes that were with him. Once I flipped him over and saw the beard I was a tad confused but it is what it is. Id rather have a double beard then 2" spurs. LOL Thanks all. I hope to get back out there Saturday morning to see if I can call up another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 i dont know whats better double beard or no spurs or ok beard and long spurs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 A double beard, but no spurs now thats odd. Its definatley a unique bird and one to remember. Congratulations on your success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAstringking Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 great bird. double beards are always a great bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Way to go Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbeard Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Way to go teammate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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