South Carolina Opening Day

[ncturkey]

Well boys I will not be scoring mine either. I called this big bird in with my new short box caller. He looked like a to be a mature gobbler when I first saw him. After he looked my way what seem like forever he moved to my right going behind some trees. When he did I saw a thick beard so I thought good bird. When he went behind the trees and brush I got my gun up. As soon has I got him in my sights I fired. I ran to him and discovered I had shot a nice jake with a thick beard. He almost had a full fan. This was my first time for mistaking a jake for a mature bird. But he will taste great on the grill. I guess I will consider him my warm up bird. I have a few more tags to upgrade to a nice longbeard.                                                                                                                                 

[Crappiepro]

Congrats! Thats a fine bird either way!

[PANYHunter]

Nice bird!! He must be a super jake.  That's how you get practiced up for the big one and get the early season jitters out of the way. 

[gophert]

I've never tasted the difference between and Jake and other birds.  You can't eat the beard!!  Congrats!!!!!!!!

[antiwheeze]

congrats!
Hope I dont follow your lead as IN is a one and done state.

[ShotgunDave]

Its easy to see how that mistake could have been made.  He's a great bird! 

You're openind day went better than mine...I got boogered up by loggers.

[Odessa]

That is a fine looking bird - I didn't even notice the tail feathers until I read your hunting story.

[ncturkey]

Thanks for the comments. I got a few more tags.  I hope I can get me a good bird in the next few days.