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Should I shoot a jake...

catman529

catman529

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so you know I haven't killed a bird yet. What if the first bird I call into my setup is a jake? Should I wait it out and see if an old gobbler comes in behind, or should I take him? Will most likely be on the WMA.

I know there is no right or wrong answer, just looking for opinions.
 
If it was me I would. I only have 4 under my belt so far and to be honest if a jake came in gobbling opening morning this year I'd probably take him. When a bird comes in and your heart starts racing and at that moment you see that it's a jake, if you feel disappointed then you should probably let him go, but if your heart is still thumpin let him have it. You won't be sorry unless you let someone's opinion bother you. That's about the best way I know to describe it... :D

Just try and have a good time and shoot what makes you happy (as long as it's legal)
 
Only you can answer that grasshopper.......

I have shot 1 jake..... matter of fact it was my first solo hunt turkey taken. I was shooting a new gun and at the last minute took the red-dot scope off and decided to shoot with just the bead on the vent-rib. If I missed a turkey, a jake wouldn't be as big of a let down than a longbeard.

Well 2 twin jakes came into my set-up.... a coyote had already spooked them and it was blowing up a thunderstorm.... I shot, he rolled, and I packed my gear.... and hauled him to the checking station.... never thought twice about it.... and that happened on a public wma.


Baxter83 said:
Just try and have a good time and shoot what makes you happy (as long as it's legal)
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Baxter83 brings up a good point.... remember a LEGAL bird HAS TO HAVE a visible beard..... no matter if it has a full fan or gobbles..... it must have a beard.... and bearded hens are legal in TN.
 
Yup I know about the beard rule, and would think twice about shooting a bearded hen, would only do it if I really wanted the meat, but thanks all for the input so far. I guess the moment a bird comes in will be the ultimate deciding factor as to whether or not I'll shoot a jake.
 
catman529 said:
Yup I know about the beard rule, and would think twice about shooting a bearded hen, would only do it if I really wanted the meat, but thanks all for the input so far. I guess the moment a bird comes in will be the ultimate deciding factor as to whether or not I'll shoot a jake.
Click to expand...

A bearded hen is a trophy in my eyes! I drew back on one in archery season last year, but she spotted my and ran off. Then saw another one later into the season last year as well. Those were the first ones I'd EVER seen and have put in maaaaaaaany hours in the woods in my 28 years. :grin:

BTW, your last sentence is exactly what I was talking about ;)
 
Oh yeah... last spring, just a few days past turkey season, there was a big ole longbeard strutting all day with his bearded hen in the field behind my house. I can't hunt that land, and I didn't have a gun at the time, and it was past season, so it was out of the question, but it was cool to watch and I got videos of it.
 
my first bird was a bearded hen.She struted all around my decoy.If your happy with a jake then don't let it walk.
 
1. i would shoot a bearded hen in a second! i have always wanted to kill one but never had the chance.

2. If it were ME in your shoes i would shot the first thing that came in gobbling and playing the game PERIOD and be pumped about it. thats just me though, as others have said you do what makes you happy and remember you will NEVER forget your first bird especially if you did it solo!!!!
 
REN said:
1. i would shoot a bearded hen in a second! i have always wanted to kill one but never had the chance.

2. If it were ME in your shoes i would shot the first thing that came in gobbling and playing the game PERIOD and be pumped about it. thats just me though, as others have said you do what makes you happy and remember you will NEVER forget your first bird especially if you did it solo!!!!
Click to expand...

x2
 

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