Little brother Darryl just sent me a picture of the monster Tom he just bagged in Bronson. It reportedly has a 12-1/2 inch beard and 1-1/4 inch spurs. Now that is at least a 4 year old bird! When they are that old they are hard to fool, as they have wised up to many of the tricks in a turkey hunters arsenal. Between the two of us we have probably taken close to 40 birds, and of course there are bragging rights that go along with whoever shoots the “biggest” bird!
The picture on the right is me from a couple years ago, and that bird had a 12 inch beard with 1-1/4 inch “hook spurs.” It was the “King of the Roost!” Looks like little brother may have dethroned me with this most recent “Monster.” I shot one in Jackson 5 years ago that weighed 27 pounds, and that one is the largest (weight wise) anyone has ever shot, but he was only a 3 year old with a 10-1/2 inch beard.
I haven’t connected yet this year, but still hope my trip up north pays off this holiday weekend. I passed on a Jake early in the season, but one better not strut his stuff by me again. I’m at the “meat hunting” phase of this season now. We shall see! Congratulations Darryl on your record book Tom. That one is going to be hard to beat-but I’m going to try.



















