Very valid. It is very rare for a bird in my area to have anything over a 10 inch beard. When it gets longer than that they will drag in the snow and then a little ice ball will build up. After a while it will get big enough that it falls off taking some of my precious beards with it...
JM, are you talking about in Illinois? Because in Missouri I'm ALMOST positive that it says something like any male turkey, or turkey with a visible beard. Could be wrong though.
