mauser06

well 415 came pretty quick. almost didnt get out of bed but forced myself. got to my listening spot around 530 after a 20 minute hike in and half hour drive from campus. 540 they started sounding off.

to make an EXTREMELY long story short...8am i looked over and there he was..standing there 30-35yds away. his head was behind a tree. i peeked over to get a look at him and his red head swung around to get a peek at me. seen a longbeard hanging...he let out a mighty gobble..walked left...then right and stopped behind the tree again. long enough for me to move my body and gun. he stepped out to the right and i fired.

if ya'll want the FULL story i can post it...its extremely long..pretty exciting, action filled, and if you wanna see what hevishot will do to a wingbutt at 30-35yds email me :grin: no...wasnt aiming there...theres alot more to that story...also why hes half naked and wet also...im just trying to keep it short..but can gladly give the full story..

here he is






18lbs...main beard was 8 1/2. second beard was 4 1/2 and spurs were both 5/8ths of an inch....score of 56.5 for team 6...but im captain anyways...not the king of the woods..but my first double bearded bird. im proud of him. was only the 2nd hunt of the season and im tagged out....but i dont usually pass up a long beard.

also took me 9yrs to kill a bird in that spot. honestly been hunting there since i was 12. seen 100s...never got a shot. i grinned ear to ear the whole 45minute hike out of there

got something like 50 pictures...let me know if yall want more or wanna hear the FULL story..it is a true double beard..i got pics of the bases..they are both seperate bases..

oh...forgot the best part. taken from a State Game Lands in Pennsylvania...

Arrowmaster

Congrats on a fine bird...

jepcho

Awesome bird man!! I never have killed a double beard, I want one though. Called a double beard in for my dad a few years ago that he killed with his bow. Lets hear the story man!! I love hearing turkey hunting stories!

Siman08/OH

nice turkey! My first and only was a double beard, only scored 49.40 though.

MO_Bowhnter

Way to go Mauser, I know how much you love to chase those birds. Congrats on a fine turkey.

mauser06

thanx guys...im still grinnin ear to ear...

mo...i sure do love chasin turkeys...now i got mine out of the way i'll spend the rest of the season playing guide/caller. my buddy been tryin to learn the ropes...hopefully we can get him one killed saturday..i do all his scouting...taught him everything he needs to know...how to call..when to call..everything...he got lucky his first year..i thought hed be OK...but i think he needs some hands on expirience...

im heading to bed...i got a test at 9am and i only got a chance to read over my notes once so im going to get up early and study till 9.

i'll get the whole story typed up sometime tomarrow...all i can say is i went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in less than a minute...and almost did not come home with that bird...i'll fill you guys in tomarrow...it'll be long...but well worth the read...and i honestly do believe if i was shooting anything but hevishot i would never came home with that bird...

check back tomarrow...i'll post some more pics...

tschaef

not to hijack the thread but I have a question; did any of you guys that have harvested multiple bearded birds see the extra beards and know the bird was special before shooting, or did you all find out after examining the trophy? It looks like the beards are usually really close together and combine into one big beard (visually), anyone actually see more beards before pulling the trigger?

mauser06

i thought i seen it, but he was going down regaurdless. i seen a longbeard hanging and seen daylight between the beard. knew it was a big split or a double. got him and still couldnt tell. i cleaned him at my buddys place...his roomate is a BIG TIME turkey hunter...he didnt even have to look twice and said double. i cut the whole area of skin from around the beards and sure enough, 2 identifiable bases. the main beard grows from one clump and the other beard has its own...

you really didnt have to pull mine apart and you could see the main beard hung lower than the smaller one. i got them spread out for pics...but if i left it natural you could still see it.

so i cant say i definently saw it...its alot thinner and only 4.5 inches long...that would be tough to see...but i thought i saw daylight...alot of beards will have splits in them as well...but arent true doubles. they grow from the same base. i guess if you got a good broadside view like i did you may beable to see them if your good. personally...im glad i saw the beard lol. alot of times i cant make out a beard..

Western MA Hunter

Congrats! I have yet to get one... someday..
Nice bird and pics!

zubba

SWEET! Fine Fine bird. Congrats!!!!