Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting Tominator, Longbeardking is BACK!!!!!!

I just got back from New York. I went full of pizz and vinegar and got a good dose of humilitation. BUT, I didn't give up and had a fantastic time. Opening morning the birds flew down alright, BUT landed well away from me. They jiggered me but good. Each day I saw birds but they were NOT in a cooperative mood. Weather ranged from down right cold and frosty to rainy windy and warm. On the third morning at 11:50, TEN minutes left for legal shooting, I saw something I had never seen before. A BEARDED hen. She was the bird for that day. I was in the woods every morning between 4:15 and 4:30. Gobbling was not what it usually is but the birds were there. Hens were together as were the Tom's. I don't think the breeding is in full swing yet. On Thursday morning, not a single gobble until 9AM. I had 4 decoys set up on the edge of a field. Two feeder hens, an upright hen and a jake. I cackled and cut at the Tom, he responded. I called to him several times and quit. He kept coming. Across the field at about 200 yards I saw him. He was coming directly for my decoys. I waited till I thought he was close enough and shot. He was down and flopping. I ran for him and was about 10 yards from him and up he went. He flew into a swamp and I looked for over an hour. No luck. I went back to camp and got my wife. We both went back and searched for over another hour. We could not find him. That is the first bird that has ever survived my 10 ga. I was devastated about the lost bird. Things were quite different on Saturday morning. Bird were gobbling everywhere. I had 4 Jakes come to my decoys, but when there were close they avoided them like the plague. They passed and I stayed put till 7 AM. I went up onto the Oak ridges and to make a long story short, on my 4th set-up I connected with a young Tom with about a 5 1/2 in beard. Nothing to brag about, but the fun can't be measured in the size of the bird. I forgot to mention thet the beard on the hen was 6 1/2 inches. I was really happy. I have included some pics.

LBK,, congrats.........Looks like you ended up having lots of fun and got some birds........

Not for sure, but I think I saw a bearded hen a couple of miles from the house today.. I am pretty sure it was.

A tip for next year..............Ditch that hat and take the wife along for the hunt, not just a dead bird finder, LOL....... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Honest, we had EVERY intention of having my wife join me for the hunt, BUT the first few days were cold and wet. One motning it was in the 20's. She hunts deer, moose, and pheasants with me. She saw the dissappointment on my face and offered to go back. The family that hunts together, stays together. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Congratulations!!

Happy to hear that your trip to NY was successful...I've been hearing that this years Turkey hunting should be down from prior years.. Our deer take has been dropping off... and CWD in NY does not help.. Time will tell..

I'm planning to get out and Turkey hunt this week.. I've been seeing some birds around my place.. and hopefully will have a chance to call in a Tom..

Good job!

Al...

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I was a little concerned about turkey numbers myself. HOWEVER, I saw more birds in the woods and fields surrounded by woods than I ever have. I have three very wonderful landowners that allow me onto their property and without them, I'd not have the success that I have enjoyed. I hunt Hannibal, Mexico, and Texas, in Oswego county. The bearded hen I shot had a half dozen eggs thart were about the size of marbles. I don't think the breeding season is in full swing yet. Thanks for the reply. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hello longbeardking,

Sounds like you had a great hunt in NY. Seeing or hearing gobblers is what it's all about. Killing is secondary. Seeing a bearded hen is a thrill you don't experience very often. The lost ones will haunt you forever at least that's the way it is for me. But, it's a grand sport! Our season closed last week in Mississippi. Can't wait for next March to roll around.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Soooooooooooooo TRUE....... The lost birds teach lessons NEVER to be forgotten. Killing is secondary, true, BUT when you do kill, you want it to be swift and humane. When an animal is lost and you KNOW it will die slowly is truely a haunting feeling. It was my fault. I totally misjudged. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />