Title: When and Where?
Post by: GobbleNut on March 12, 2021, 08:14:58 AM
Post by: GobbleNut on March 12, 2021, 08:14:58 AM
I suspect some of our team members are about to get rolling,...if they haven't already. So, when is your first hunt, and where will you be hunting this spring?
Here in New Mexico, our spring hunt doesn't start until April 15th. Right now, I have plans to head up to Oklahoma for their April 6th opener. That will be my first opportunity. Other hunts planned are a three-state swing in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota in late May, and I may try to squeeze-in another hunt in Colorado in Early May if time allows. I am also on a "waiting list" for a reservation hunt if all goes well.
How 'bout you guys?...
Here in New Mexico, our spring hunt doesn't start until April 15th. Right now, I have plans to head up to Oklahoma for their April 6th opener. That will be my first opportunity. Other hunts planned are a three-state swing in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota in late May, and I may try to squeeze-in another hunt in Colorado in Early May if time allows. I am also on a "waiting list" for a reservation hunt if all goes well.
How 'bout you guys?...
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Swamp on March 12, 2021, 08:38:32 AM
Post by: Swamp on March 12, 2021, 08:38:32 AM
I'm hunting eastern NC our season starts April 10 till may 8th I get 2 birds
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: notsure on March 12, 2021, 04:27:16 PM
Post by: notsure on March 12, 2021, 04:27:16 PM
MN Season A starts on April 14th. and goes through the 20th. All season's are OTC this year in SE MN, so unless the weather looks awful (always a distinct possibility in MN), my season starts on the 14th. As for WI, we're locked into Season C, which doesn't begin until May 19th.
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: boomer on March 12, 2021, 05:49:57 PM
Post by: boomer on March 12, 2021, 05:49:57 PM
My season starts on March 25th for archery in Nebraska and the shotgun opener is on April 17th.
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: RiverBuck on March 12, 2021, 07:16:37 PM
Post by: RiverBuck on March 12, 2021, 07:16:37 PM
April 10 through May 2 for me here in Virginia. I've been seeing lots of nice birds lately. It usually goes off the end of this month.. you know, right before opener but I have a 1000 acres or so plus been invited to another farm a half hour away to make it happen.
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on March 13, 2021, 06:14:57 AM
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on March 13, 2021, 06:14:57 AM
As I type this, I'm sitting in a oak hammock, swamp side, listening in the crack of day break on our horizon. Whippoorwill and owls going nutsIt's a youth opener and I have a young man (15) to my left, listening with me. I hope we can hear them and at the least have some good interaction. It's 52°, clear with today's high of 84° projected...
We are hunting a 15k acre tract of WMA public land.
Our "Adult" season is next weekend and I still haven't decided on where to go LOL.
Likely, I'll head to a 45acre private piece I have in the neighboring south county.
Oh, Central Florida
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We are hunting a 15k acre tract of WMA public land.
Our "Adult" season is next weekend and I still haven't decided on where to go LOL.
Likely, I'll head to a 45acre private piece I have in the neighboring south county.
Oh, Central Florida
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: RiverBuck on March 13, 2021, 07:21:50 AM
Post by: RiverBuck on March 13, 2021, 07:21:50 AM
Best of luck ManfromGreenSwamp!
It's was 52 at first light up here in Virginia this morning too... and just like that, it started. I heard a 4 pack gobbling their heads off on the next ridge over while drinking coffee on the porch.
It's was 52 at first light up here in Virginia this morning too... and just like that, it started. I heard a 4 pack gobbling their heads off on the next ridge over while drinking coffee on the porch.
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: GobbleNut on March 13, 2021, 08:38:54 AM
Post by: GobbleNut on March 13, 2021, 08:38:54 AM
Quote from: RiverBuck on March 13, 2021, 07:21:50 AM
Best of luck ManfromGreenSwamp!
It's was 52 at first light up here in Virginia this morning too... and just like that, it started. I heard a 4 pack gobbling their heads off on the next ridge over while drinking coffee on the porch.
Ditto on the "Good Luck" part MfGS.
As for listening to gobblers, I too was sitting and listening a couple of mornings ago at our place at 8,000 ft. in the New Mexico mountains. Had to listen to the five gobblers that were roosting a 150 yards from the cabin from inside while sitting next to the heater, though. The outside temp was somewhere around 25, I think, and sitting on the porch just didn't sound too appealing. :D
Here's a couple of the old boys after they flew down....
(https://i.imgur.com/hbKfCaGl.jpg)
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Sir-diealot on March 13, 2021, 11:20:04 AM
Post by: Sir-diealot on March 13, 2021, 11:20:04 AM
I will be hunting my landlords kids property again I do believe. It allows me to set up some blinds and seats ahead of time which with my body is a big bonus.
May hit Sugar Hill State Park as well for something new, depends on how the body is treating me. If I do hunt that I will have to figure out how to do it without a blind, sitting on the ground can be very painful for me. I do have an Ameristep 2 man blind, but find that my gun barrel is a little long for using it, works fine with rifle.
May hit Sugar Hill State Park as well for something new, depends on how the body is treating me. If I do hunt that I will have to figure out how to do it without a blind, sitting on the ground can be very painful for me. I do have an Ameristep 2 man blind, but find that my gun barrel is a little long for using it, works fine with rifle.
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on March 13, 2021, 01:48:20 PM
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on March 13, 2021, 01:48:20 PM
Thanks all. Set up, heard one, went after him and he was wayyyy off. Get half way there, two double gobble back where we were... doubled back. Never heard them again ! They had us chasing our tails.
Got warm QUICK
Place we were hunting has been hammered by the small game folks for a solid month...definitely doesn't help the turkey hunting.
The young man I had, his brother got one with a different fellow. Nice bird . 15lbs, 1.25" Spurs and a little over 8" beard.
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Got warm QUICK
Place we were hunting has been hammered by the small game folks for a solid month...definitely doesn't help the turkey hunting.
The young man I had, his brother got one with a different fellow. Nice bird . 15lbs, 1.25" Spurs and a little over 8" beard.
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Kdp1080 on March 13, 2021, 09:22:31 PM
Post by: Kdp1080 on March 13, 2021, 09:22:31 PM
How is your boys scoutin/homework coming along?? Any ctazy rituals/traditions you do before opening day??
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: leaf shaker on March 13, 2021, 09:44:45 PM
Post by: leaf shaker on March 13, 2021, 09:44:45 PM
Will be hunting VA season for the most part but may make a trip down to NC
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Kdp1080 on March 13, 2021, 10:40:36 PM
Post by: Kdp1080 on March 13, 2021, 10:40:36 PM
How is your boys scoutin/homework coming along?? Any ctazy rituals/traditions you do before opening day??
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on March 14, 2021, 01:02:58 AM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on March 14, 2021, 01:02:58 AM
Still up in the air on the where and when part (wife's blessing pending) but I'm planned out for both scenarios.
Option 1: Will be DE on April 10th - Opener
Option 2: Will be WA on April 15th - Opener
If additionally allowed by wife I'll be hunting turkey youth weekend in WA April 3rd. Got a first time Dad and Son duo hooked up with some good landowners and public spots near my property if I can't make it but hoping this isn't the case and that I'm calling in a beautiful red head for the Dad and Son. I know this wont count for the team but this is what hunting is all about. Starting out the next generation.
Option 1: Will be DE on April 10th - Opener
Option 2: Will be WA on April 15th - Opener
If additionally allowed by wife I'll be hunting turkey youth weekend in WA April 3rd. Got a first time Dad and Son duo hooked up with some good landowners and public spots near my property if I can't make it but hoping this isn't the case and that I'm calling in a beautiful red head for the Dad and Son. I know this wont count for the team but this is what hunting is all about. Starting out the next generation.
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Bridger on March 14, 2021, 02:15:46 PM
Post by: Bridger on March 14, 2021, 02:15:46 PM
I'll be hunting in Virginia and West-by-God-Va also. Starts April 10
Good luck team Snood Snatchers!
Good luck team Snood Snatchers!
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on March 14, 2021, 04:07:48 PM
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on March 14, 2021, 04:07:48 PM
Quote from: Kdp1080 on March 13, 2021, 09:22:31 PMWhen it comes to scouting, I typically do the same stuff at the same places or the same stuff at new places! Haha
How is your boys scoutin/homework coming along?? Any ctazy rituals/traditions you do before opening day??
I never really stop scounting all year really until the turkeys disappear for several months(I still don't think anybody knows where they really go). They gobble here in Florida early, many times around Christmas on so I'm already in the woods looking for artifacts or deer hunting, I find a lot of roosts this way. On private land, I do a bunch of windshield scouting around pastures.
Far as rituals, I have a hat that I have to have or nothing works right. And used to be I had to have McDonald's steak egg and cheese bagel on the way to the woods or things didn't work out right... But now with the crappy "covid"menu, they don't have that option. All bets are off.
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: leaf shaker on March 14, 2021, 09:30:31 PM
Post by: leaf shaker on March 14, 2021, 09:30:31 PM
As for scouting I also hunt most the same places year in and year out so the most I usually do is listen for mornings in a row before season.
As far as rituals go I have an old logging corp. hat I found at the thrift store and thought it was cool. Long story short the person who wears it tags out before 8:00 am. I never have never questioned it since :gobble:
As far as rituals go I have an old logging corp. hat I found at the thrift store and thought it was cool. Long story short the person who wears it tags out before 8:00 am. I never have never questioned it since :gobble:
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: GobbleNut on March 14, 2021, 10:48:46 PM
Post by: GobbleNut on March 14, 2021, 10:48:46 PM
Like others have said, I know the places I hunt here in NM well enough that scouting really isn't necessary, although I will usually try to get out a time or two just to get fired up. The nearest turkey hunting to where I live is a two-hour drive, so it's a little bit more than just stepping out the door or making a quick drive to have a look.
When hunting a place I haven't been to, I always try to allot at least one full day to looking around for birds, and especially to have one morning at first light to find gobblers on the roost.
As for rituals, I have none. However, I do have one "superstition", if you will. In 1975, the morning I killed my first "called in" gobbler, I was driving before daylight to the spot on the edge of the Gila Wilderness. The last song I heard on the radio before I arrived was Tiny Dancer by Elton John (yes, I realize I am dating myself). For years after that, if I randomly heard a song by Elton John on my way to a hunt, I knew I would kill a gobbler that morning,...and it worked every time! Since then, I have killed a lot of gobblers without hearing an Elton John song,....but even now, if I hear one, I know I am going to have a real good morning and a gobbler is likely to have his snood snatched. :D
When hunting a place I haven't been to, I always try to allot at least one full day to looking around for birds, and especially to have one morning at first light to find gobblers on the roost.
As for rituals, I have none. However, I do have one "superstition", if you will. In 1975, the morning I killed my first "called in" gobbler, I was driving before daylight to the spot on the edge of the Gila Wilderness. The last song I heard on the radio before I arrived was Tiny Dancer by Elton John (yes, I realize I am dating myself). For years after that, if I randomly heard a song by Elton John on my way to a hunt, I knew I would kill a gobbler that morning,...and it worked every time! Since then, I have killed a lot of gobblers without hearing an Elton John song,....but even now, if I hear one, I know I am going to have a real good morning and a gobbler is likely to have his snood snatched. :D
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Southernson13 on March 15, 2021, 12:50:37 PM
Post by: Southernson13 on March 15, 2021, 12:50:37 PM
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 12, 2021, 08:14:58 AMHow are the OOS'ER opportunities in New Mexico. I tried to do some reading on the state page the other day but it was a little confusing.
I suspect some of our team members are about to get rolling,...if they haven't already. So, when is your first hunt, and where will you be hunting this spring?
Here in New Mexico, our spring hunt doesn't start until April 15th. Right now, I have plans to head up to Oklahoma for their April 6th opener. That will be my first opportunity. Other hunts planned are a three-state swing in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota in late May, and I may try to squeeze-in another hunt in Colorado in Early May if time allows. I am also on a "waiting list" for a reservation hunt if all goes well.
How 'bout you guys?...
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Sir-diealot on March 20, 2021, 04:20:20 AM
Post by: Sir-diealot on March 20, 2021, 04:20:20 AM
Quote from: Kdp1080 on March 13, 2021, 10:40:36 PMOne unfortunate thing about hunting my landlords kids property is that I am not allowed to scout it at all, they seem to think I will scare all the turkey away. I also can't trap there before deer season because they think we will scare all the deer away.
How is your boys scoutin/homework coming along?? Any ctazy rituals/traditions you do before opening day??
Crazy traditions? Spend money all year long on new turkey calls.
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on March 30, 2021, 02:18:18 AM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on March 30, 2021, 02:18:18 AM
It wont be me but youth weekend up here is this weekend and I am pumped pumped pumped. Probably more excited then my hunts to come. Great opportunity to get out the woods and do some pre-season scouting no doubt with some hopeful live action of a kid getting his first bird and father there to watch. Mind you I aint the father but taking out a member from a local form who has no idea what he's doing to aid in the kill of his sons first bird. Formulating a plan A of finding them their own chunk of land that I've never hunted in hopes that it can be "theirs" for years to come. Take them through the whole process of why I chose it, why I scouted it how I did, etc. etc. Plan B of course will be to take them to hunt my property and land behind it and plan C will be to take them to one of my honey holes cuz hey its a youth hunter! Really hoping for plan A because I feel the best thing for mentoring new hunters is not taking them out to kill something but taking them through the process of getting to the kill. The AirBnB they are staying at is within a mile of some really really good turkey country. Probably going to be woken up by gobbles.
Do you guys hunt the same spot? Or do you always finding yourself looking for the next spot? I've only killed a handful of birds in the same spot over the years....always looking for the next spot. Dont get me wrong...most spots (not all) I have dailed....can tell you were each roost tree is...where if the birds aren't there right now...where they are instead. I think that is what gives me the confidence to keep looking for the next spot, that I can always go back to plan B or plan C which are really plan A.
Do you guys hunt the same spot? Or do you always finding yourself looking for the next spot? I've only killed a handful of birds in the same spot over the years....always looking for the next spot. Dont get me wrong...most spots (not all) I have dailed....can tell you were each roost tree is...where if the birds aren't there right now...where they are instead. I think that is what gives me the confidence to keep looking for the next spot, that I can always go back to plan B or plan C which are really plan A.
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: GobbleNut on March 30, 2021, 09:14:44 AM
Post by: GobbleNut on March 30, 2021, 09:14:44 AM
Quote from: avidnwoutdoorsman on March 30, 2021, 02:18:18 AM
Do you guys hunt the same spot? Or do you always finding yourself looking for the next spot? I've only killed a handful of birds in the same spot over the years....always looking for the next spot. Dont get me wrong...most spots (not all) I have dialed....can tell you were each roost tree is...where if the birds aren't there right now...where they are instead. I think that is what gives me the confidence to keep looking for the next spot, that I can always go back to plan B or plan C which are really plan A.
Pretty much the same scenario for me, too. You and I are fortunate that we have hundreds of thousands of acres of public land to hunt and can do that. As I have said in other discussions here on OG, I could hunt a different spot every day for the rest of my life and never have to hit the same location twice.
That is a luxury that I realize most other folks do not have, although I also believe a lot of turkey hunters "pigeon hole" themselves in hunting the same places day after day when they really don't have to. For me, exploring and finding new places to hunt, and accepting the challenge of trying to kill a gobbler in a spot I am not familiar with, is something I always look forward to doing. ...Not that I always kill a bird in those situations, but when I do, it is much more personally rewarding to me than killing a gobbler in a familiar spot where I know my odds of success are generally much higher. :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: notsure on March 30, 2021, 03:41:18 PM
Post by: notsure on March 30, 2021, 03:41:18 PM
I primarily hunt on small/medium sized farms (250-500 acres), so although I might setup 100 yards this way or that from the spot I hunted the pervious season, my hunting's pretty much limited to a handful of locations.
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Kdp1080 on April 01, 2021, 10:09:46 PM
Post by: Kdp1080 on April 01, 2021, 10:09:46 PM
Well boys and girls season starts here Saturday!!! THE COUNTDOWN has begun!!!! We have a bad cold snap here now but supposed to warm back up tomorrow afternoon. Heard birds gobblin this morning it was 28* this AM. Lets get a rollin and lets see some toe curlin and snatch Some Snoods!! Good luck and be safe
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: GobbleNut on April 02, 2021, 09:14:32 AM
Post by: GobbleNut on April 02, 2021, 09:14:32 AM
Go get 'em! :icon_thumright:
I'm headed to Oklahoma on Sunday myself. Hunting public areas where the reports are that the turkey numbers are way down and hunter numbers are way up, so I don't have a lot of confidence,...but I've got to give it a go anyway. Besides, I like that kind of challenge! ;)
Jim
I'm headed to Oklahoma on Sunday myself. Hunting public areas where the reports are that the turkey numbers are way down and hunter numbers are way up, so I don't have a lot of confidence,...but I've got to give it a go anyway. Besides, I like that kind of challenge! ;)
Jim
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Happy on April 02, 2021, 10:06:14 AM
Post by: Happy on April 02, 2021, 10:06:14 AM
Have fun. Was in Oklahoma not so long ago myself. All I saw were buzzards.
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: boomer on April 02, 2021, 04:47:01 PM
Post by: boomer on April 02, 2021, 04:47:01 PM
Good luck in Oklahoma guys!!
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Title: When and Where?
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on April 03, 2021, 02:30:12 PM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on April 03, 2021, 02:30:12 PM
Youth opener today. Kid was tagged out by 9:40. First bird down at 7:00. Cleaned it, moved, and got him the second at 9:40.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210403/25ad4eda3a6074b95ff1d424733e4ba7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210403/24e95736bbde6261a90935a5f25ecd60.jpg)
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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210403/25ad4eda3a6074b95ff1d424733e4ba7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210403/24e95736bbde6261a90935a5f25ecd60.jpg)
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on April 03, 2021, 03:53:15 PM
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on April 03, 2021, 03:53:15 PM
Quote from: avidnwoutdoorsman on April 03, 2021, 02:30:12 PMNice!!!!!!!!!
Youth opener today. Kid was tagged out by 9:40.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210403/25ad4eda3a6074b95ff1d424733e4ba7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210403/24e95736bbde6261a90935a5f25ecd60.jpg)
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Buddy missed one this morning lol
Must have gobbled 50x in the cold strang season that is our Florida turkey season thus far. What a dumb year lol
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: RiverBuck on April 03, 2021, 05:13:21 PM
Post by: RiverBuck on April 03, 2021, 05:13:21 PM
Nice job on youth opener!
That's a fine looking bird too
That's a fine looking bird too
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on April 03, 2021, 05:15:32 PM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on April 03, 2021, 05:15:32 PM
Quote from: RiverBuck on April 03, 2021, 05:13:21 PMWhich one?
Nice job on youth opener!
That's a fine looking bird too
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: RiverBuck on April 03, 2021, 05:22:20 PM
Post by: RiverBuck on April 03, 2021, 05:22:20 PM
Haha!
The one that doesn't have a head that looks like strawberry jelly
Nice job tagging out!
The one that doesn't have a head that looks like strawberry jelly
Nice job tagging out!
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on April 03, 2021, 05:32:44 PM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on April 03, 2021, 05:32:44 PM
Quote from: RiverBuck on April 03, 2021, 05:22:20 PMThanks! Na I felt bad because his dad had tried year ago with the older and not succeeded and I took them out which was way different having three people chasing birds. I've done duos but having three with a dad that would not film everything made it very interesting. Anyways got it done just like that and I think the kid has a very skewed impression of how "easy" that was!
Haha!
The one that doesn't have a head that looks like strawberry jelly
Nice job tagging out!
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: Sir-diealot on April 04, 2021, 04:13:21 PM
Post by: Sir-diealot on April 04, 2021, 04:13:21 PM
Congratulations to the youngster, nice looking turkey and great smile.
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: notsure on April 13, 2021, 08:48:57 PM
Post by: notsure on April 13, 2021, 08:48:57 PM
Less than 12 hours to go!
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on April 13, 2021, 10:42:48 PM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on April 13, 2021, 10:42:48 PM
Quote from: notsure on April 13, 2021, 08:48:57 PMI've been counting down too!
Less than 12 hours to go!
I'm under 36!
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Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: notsure on April 15, 2021, 12:33:23 PM
Post by: notsure on April 15, 2021, 12:33:23 PM
So, I managed to fill my MN tag on opening day (Season A, April 14th). I just uploaded the score and accompanying pictures. Definitely a Baby Huey! I mean, decent spurs, nearly 24 pounds, but sporting a stubby little 5.5" beard?
Title: Re: When and Where?
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on April 15, 2021, 05:28:20 PM
Post by: ManfromGreenSwamp on April 15, 2021, 05:28:20 PM
Quote from: notsure on April 15, 2021, 12:33:23 PMAtta boy!!! Nice bird, definitely a fatty!!! I didn't see sign of any beard rot in those pictures
So, I managed to fill my MN tag on opening day (Season A, April 14th). I just uploaded the score and accompanying pictures. Definitely a Baby Huey! I mean, decent spurs, nearly 24 pounds, but sporting a stubby little 5.5" beard?
Congratulations!
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