Hunting Gobblers

[bpsmag1026]

I will shoot the first one that gives me a shot. I had 3 come in one morning last spring, 2 were strutting and the  other one was not. The 2 strutters stayed out of range but the other one came in to about 40 yards so I shot him. He had 1 & 7/16" spurs.

[bbcoach]

I will shoot the first one that gives me a shot. I had 3 come in one morning last spring, 2 were strutting and the  other one was not. The 2 strutters stayed out of range but the other one came in to about 40 yards so I shot him. He had 1 & 7/16" spurs.

Throws the old adage of the strutter being the more dominant bird right out the window doesn't it.  I'll bet the other 2 didn't have 1 7/16" spurs.  Makes us think doesn't it? 

[bpsmag1026]

Yes it does! I was really surprised

[Dtrkyman]

Spurs do not determine dominance! 

[deerhunt1988]

One of my longest spurred birds was also a looker that snuck in away from the flock that had a strutter in it.

Never know!

[Zobo]

A new hunter who wants a full fan to mount might not want to  shoot the strutting gobbler.

[CALLM2U]

The only scenario I can think of where I DON'T shoot the one that gives me the first opportunity is if the 2nd bird is a color phase. 

[JeffC]

The only scenario I can think of where I DON'T shoot the one that gives me the first opportunity is if the 2nd bird is a color phase. 

Had this exact thing play out last year, I never even looked at lead Tom who was in full strut, most vocal and following the hen or did I look at 2nd Tom, then 2 jakes, super focused on White/ Smokey Tom bring up the rear. Hopefully that Tom is still around this season. 

[Mick2394]

Longest beard/biggest bird I'll wait for first but if I can see both birds are of same size, whichever one gives me the best shot first.

[dublelung]

I generally try to shoot the strutter but I get a little antsy sometimes and shoot the first one that gives me a good shot!

[bbcoach]

Spurs do not determine dominance! 

I think most of us understand that spurs nor weight nor beard determines dominance but it does take us RIGHT BACK to Greg's Original question of Which One?  Most of us only register 4 things, in the moment, for the most part 1. a Redhead 2. A beard  3. Hopefully a full fan 4. Is he within my effective range and Boom. So many variables to consider.     

[Greg Massey]

Spurs do not determine dominance! 

I think most of us understand that spurs nor weight nor beard determines dominance but it does take us RIGHT BACK to Greg's Original question of Which One?  Most of us only register 4 things, in the moment, for the most part 1. a Redhead 2. A beard  3. Hopefully a full fan 4. Is he within my effective range and Boom. So many variables to consider.     

   X2     Exactly

[Dtrkyman]

A Tom is a Tom for me!  Long spurs and heavy weight is a bonus, I do not care about a beard but I like spurs!!!

[WV Flopper]

 I have had hundreds of Jake's come in strutting. Does that make them dominate?

[Greg Massey]

I have had hundreds of Jake's come in strutting. Does that make them dominate?

They are starting to establish dominance and pecking order in my opinion...They have to learn ,,,