I've turkey hunted for 30 years, and never saw a bearded hen. I've seen three this week, and killed this one yesterday morning. I passed on a long beard to shoot her. Had about a 7-8" beard.
Congratulations on your first.. Now go for the gobblers.. They can still reproduce and have a chance at another bearded hen.
I've seen a few. I actually have one w/ about a 6" beard wandering around the house lately. She's a big girl too. never shot one though.
#2 Got a nice bird this morning. Should have been a double!!! I felt so bad for him. This was our first time hunting together, and his first chance to go this year. We were in birds all morning. We changed locations, and I saw him jack a shell in the chamber. Slipped down a fence row and setup. I call, and get an immediate gobble. Call again, and answer. Two birds came in a string, and the one on his side was the boss. On 3!.... 1-2-bang, but only one bang. His gun didn't jack a shell in the chamber. At first I thought I had screwed him over and he didn't hear me count. He said he pulled the trigger 5 times lol. Finally jacked a round in and shot, but the bird was too far by then. We'll double up next time bud. 11.5" heavy beard, 1" spurs. 4 minutes from first call to shot. A turkey hunter needs some luck like that every now and then.
We were about 10' apart. When he didn't shoot, I was thinking he didn't hear me count and I had messed over him.... I wish he had just shucked a shell and shot. He had time to do that, but he kept pulling the trigger and finally shucked one in after 10 seconds or so. I really hated it for him.
Hey EG, you know that 300 acres I got permission to hunt on this year? I killed that bird there this morning. Nobody is supposed to have been hunting there for the last 3-4 years. Found a stand in the exact spot where I first thought of when she told me I could hunt. Hang on and camera. Found a blind and a feeder this morning. I've told them about it, they're pissed, and know it is one of the neighbor's. He just hunts where he pleases, always has. I hope they get pissed enough, and I'm really trying to get them to that point, that they tell me to take them down. The daughter told me today that she wants to go with me and put up no hunting signs.
By the way. I'm pretty sure that 300 acres is going to be way too much for just you and your daughter to handle so I'm going to offer to sacrifice some of my time to come down there and help you out with your overpopulation problem!!!!!!!
