wierd

[turkeywhisperer935]

  Kill'd a mature 2 year old gobbler this morning in Tennessee with no beard, just a bump where it should be. Never saw anything like it, it's my first one of the season so i'll take it.

[catman529]

Weird, maybe beard rot? How will you put in the beard length when you check it in, since TN requires a beard for the spring season?

[FullChoke]

First, congratulations on your gobbler.

I have heard of some beards falling or breaking off for various reasons, but not a gobbler just not growing a beard. Weird.

As the season progresses, you will see examples of many variations and anomalies. One fellow here in MS just recently shot his first gobbler and on one foot it had only 2 toes and a 1.25" spur that had a 90 degree hook to it.

FC

[Deputy 14]

My grandpa killed one like that several years ago. I remember watching for 15 min wondering why he hadn't shot yet and after he finally killed the bird he told me and my uncle about not seeing a beard and was somewhat puzzled. Like yours it only had a small raised place on the chest where the beard was supposed to be.

[tomstopper]

Sounds weird but Congrats on your bird anyway.....

[DirtNap647]

had a mature bird around our property last year that had no beard that i could see full fan could even see the spurs on trail cam but no beard i agree weird

[turkeywhisperer935]

When I checked it in I was kinda skeptical too but they said as long as it was a male it was legal. Only way I could tell is it came in at full strut and the color.

[surehuntsalot]

strange