Been a while

[harleytom]

No this is not my rendition of the Staind hit,  everyone should be thankful for that. About 12 years ago I killed my first spring gobbler. It turned out to be a 3 bearded bird, which unfortunately was not appreciated for what it was due to my naivety. Fast forward to the present. Last night my son and daughter-in-law presented me with my newest (4th) grandson. I had worked all weekend and gotten off at 6pm but as we grandparents do, I drove 2 & 1/2 hrs to get to greet our newest family member. This put me getting back home around 1am. This morning I must have slept right through my alarm and woke around 640am. I hastily dressed and threw my equipment together and hit the woods to my prearranged spot. I put out a feeding and lookout hen and a Funky Chicken. Now before everyone starts ribbing me, I don't often use the Chicken but since I knew this area had several satellite gobblers around, I was doing my best to not run anything off with intimidation. I've never had much success with mine but friends of mine have. I heard nothing when I sat up and began my cold calling sequences as I did on the first bird this season. After a few hours I thought I heard some turkey purring behind me but couldn't see anything immediately. After a few minutes a lone gobbler comes charging in headed right for the chicken. As he gets close he blows up into strut and circles Mr. Funky. Being the protective person I am, I felt obliged to shoot him as he came out of strut right before he assaulted the Chicken. He dropped like a rock at 30 yards and never twitched after absorbing a headful of Apex #9 TSS from the Weatherby.  Approaching him I realized he was the double bearded bird I thought I saw on camera last winter. He was a 2 year old, only weighed 15.25 lbs, with 3/4 inch spurs on both feet. Beard 1 was 8 & 1/2 inches, beard 2 was 4 & 1/2 inches. Even if we counted both beards he would not be an upgrade (56.25 with both 47.25 with only one) but he is a trophy to me nonetheless. Thanks Chicken.

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[xarcher]

That's how you do that.

[surehuntsalot]

congrats on the bird

[FullChoke]

Great story and a fine bird as well. Well done and congratulations on your new grandchild.

[TKE921]

Beautiful bird

[3bailey3]

congrats, Awesome bird

[cramerhunts]

Congratulations on the new addition to the family as well as the bird! Awesome stuff!

[3seasons]

Heck yeah congrats.