That's a stud for a mtn. bird. Congrats man!! I've hunted em about everywhere in the State & them birds around Tellico & Reliance area are as tough as they come. Good job man!!
Congrats on the first, and dang that is a huge bird! Beat me by a lot, my first was a jake, but I am happy with it. Even better that you got him on public land, same here.
there is one that has 2 long beards down there still and i saw alot with 1 to 5 inch beards to i had 3 jakes rush my decoy just minuts before i took the big one and was going to shoot one of them but i thought the bird i had been calling sounded much bigger so i set tight and keep calling and he came out full strut drumming and gobbling what a rush!!!