two full fan strutters in front of you

[JA1234]

which would you shoot....One has a 4 inch beard that has brown tips indicating broke from dry rot or what ever it is ...so its clearly not a jake as the fan is full to....the other is not thin bearded, but not a rope yet at about 9-10 inches.

Both are close enough to see the spurs when they lift wings enough. Short broke beard bird has 1 and 1/4 inch spurs ...long beard bird has 3/4 spurs... I have had three people tell me I should have shot the long beard... for me its about the spurs.

nevertheless yesterday was a great day..I have gone twice and yesterday was the first I connected with...been to busy doing crap around the house to go. I think I will get out one more day or two and maybe get my son out a day...

anyhow here it is

 

[SALECREEKHUNTER]

You shot the right bird. congrats

 

[Wrangler95]

Very nice gobbler,congrats!!!

 

[buckdead]

nice bird. its all about the spurs man. ive shot 2 yr old birds with thick 12" beards, but they dont do it for me like the hooks on them 3 yr olds.

 

[JA1234]

Thanks guys...I love spur length too, and just last year started trying to tell before shot.

 

[RUGER]

Hard to beat a big ole thick beard, but you GOTTA love da hooks !

 

[easy45]

congrats

 

[CBU93]

Let em line up and take em both!

 

[JA1234]

that thought crossed mine mind before about 6 years ago on two really nice birds

 

[VolDoug]

Either one, then go back later for the other one.

I'm a paintbrush-beard man myself, but that's probably because you'll rarely see spurs around here more than an inch, even on an old bird. Plus, I guarantee you won't have time to judge spur length prior to taking a shot where I hunt mostly, and frankly if I get to that point, it's time for me to quit.

 

[RNT]

Good choice...I like the spurs!

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Congrats man!!!

 

[baller_9]

I'm more of a spur man too. Congrats

 

[ROOKIE2323]

congrats

 

[spitndrum]

Absolutely you shot the right bird!!!!

Hooks like that are hard to come by bears are jus like 8 pointers thy are all 10inches for the majority!!!

 

[buckhorn40]

 

[Buck Assassin]

AWESOME!

 

[whistlinwingman]

Tough choice, but I agree with you. I like the hooks myself too. Hopefully you can get the other before season's end

 

[Winchester]

Long spur bird dies every time, he's the oldest!

 

[NoNtYpiCaL1]

After time you will find those hooks are harder to come by than them beards are.