I hunted a ranch in Nebraska one year. We saw several full fan strutters with jakelike beards. We asked the rancher about this. He said in the winters their beards drag the ground and accumulate ice. When the ice ball gets big enough, their beards snap off. I was fortunate to get one with a 10 inch beard that trip.
Congrats on your gobbler!! 23-1/2 pounds isn't a superjake!!
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