What I saw tonight

[P. Beyer]

At exactly 7:28 PM,......Almost dark I was heading to the local store for a bag of ice. I took the long way to look for critters. Being that late I expected NOT to see any Turkey.

As I rounded a curve I almost whacked a Turkey,....A Longbeard. Nice, nice Turkey. I'd be proud to tag. Funny thing, He just sorta limped about 30 yards from the road into the woodline and stood there. He gimped around a bit more, so I drove on. When I returned about 8 minutes later, He was still there, Limping around.

I thought it to be late to see a Turkey, Wonder if he was hit during youth season, by a car, poacher from the road with a .22, yote?

Sure was a pretty bird. Nightfall came and he was still there. I drove the 1/2 mile home.

[quackrstackr]

If your area is anything like mine.... guys have been after them for a good two weeks already..:(

No telling what happened to that bird. Could have been clipped by another vehicle I suppose. If he was on the ground at dark he probably can't fly. Probably won't make many more days either if he makes the night.

[skin_dog1]

That sucks! doesn't sound like he'll make it. Everyone always talks about dead bucks they've found, well 2 years ago while hunting in metcalf county I found a big gobbler dead. It was the second weekend of the season and this bird had been consumed by the critters, all except, legs, spurs, and strands from the beard. The longest piece i found went over 11 inches. Both spurs went close to 1.25. I figure someone shot him the weekend before or during the youth season and the critters made quick work of him. I gave the spurs to my host.

[14pointer]

I have run up on these pile of feathers 4 or 5 times and every time there was spurs and parts of beards..And on each occation it was next to something thick.Leaving me to believe that it could be coyotes making it hard on our strutting toms.......P.S What do you think......