Well next year I'll make sure to take detailed pics...lol. I'm sure if anyone was there with us and saw and heard what we did you would have taken the shot also. It was not my intention to shoot a hen and I still do not think that is what I shot. But I'm also not saying that any of you are wrong. I know that all of you are only trying to give me your opinion and I do appreciate it.
Gabe: Congrats on your bird (I hope!)...lol. Listen, if I thought I may have killed a hen, the last thing I'd be worried about was points in a contest. The 1st would be the fact I had photos of it on the internet.....and it's illegal to take hens in NC's spring season. Hens strut. Hens will fan out in full strut, sometimes. I'm with you.....in that I check EVERY bird for even the faintest of beards. Hen? Jake? Gobbler? Yep. Fair game (beard present). Could it be a male bird? Don't have the experience to answer that. Could it be a bearded hen? Sure looks like a hen (to this turkey stooge). Wish I knew whether to congratulate you......or tell you to take the photos down.
Thanks for the advice. And yes I know it is illegal and the last thing I would knowingly do is take an illegal shot. Like I said in the original post here...the bird was in our field for over 3 hours before I took the shot...we watched with our binos and everything. We saw the tuft of the beard poking out. Yes I did save the beard I just didn't take pictures. A friend of mine shot a Jake thursday and if you look at his pic our birds look identical. Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll take the pic down. Didn't mean to cause such a stink...I was just excited and wanted to share.
You do what YOU think is right. My expertise in turkey anatomy starts and ends at......I have a computer and an ISP.
I hear you...I just don't want to be looked at like a cheat or a poacher. I'll just save myself and others the headache. I know what I shot. My buddy knows what I shot...as well as friends and family. That's good enough for me.
Gabe...if you KNOW what you shot....isn't this a moot point? Your above quoted phrase led me to believe you weren't sure. Hence my repsonses. If you know...then, by all means congratulations on your success. jeff
I understand...I said that because when you start hearing all these opinions coming at you like that...it's a little overwhelming. I just don't want to be looked at in a bad light...understand?
Sorry I'm late. Been busy at work...to say the least. I got a call from Gabe last night, followed by an email. So, I investigated into this a bit further, and have come to the following conclusion... Gabe, I hate to tell you, but yes. It appears that you have shot a hemaphroditic Hen... Just kidding... I have come to the following conclustion that this was in fact, beyond a doubt, a jake. It had no feathers on the neck, the head was red, before the shot, and turned blue later on ( a couple of times in the three+ hours we watched him, to be specific). It was trying to have a beard... More like some of the teenagers you see out there now days, that can't really grow one, but just let their fuzz grow out... lol. He was an Emo bird, or possibly one of those "confused" kids... Just sayin'. All of that, and it had male parts in it's undercarriage... ask Gabe. I looked. lol. I have spent the better part of an hour, studying pics on the net, and I can not find anythign that goes against ours, saying that it was female... No doubt in my mind. A jake. Just probably a late bloomer. At ease, Gabe. PS: Gabe...Dude...Bro... 20 pounds?!?!?! Maybe at the end of the mile, and some change that you carried it. lol. PPS: That was a dman good shot!!! I heard a slip, and smack, and he scooted away, and dropped! DONE!!! lol. I couldn't have done better, I know that!
Gabe, put it back up I killed a Bearded Hen years ago that went a whopping 12 lbs and when I checked it in they said it was a BIG Hen. Yours is much heavier, You said it had a hint of spurs, its a Jake Congrats again!!
Alright ya talked me into it!! lol...they are back up on this post. Thanks everyone!! Hope I get as lucky this Deer Season!:D
