hunt2407
New Member
God bless our Troops!!
Posts: 13
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Post by hunt2407 on Jun 8, 2006 9:05:38 GMT -5
Two seasons ago I had an episode with a beardless tom. It came in off my right hand shoulder at about 15 feet. It strutted and carried on for quite a while right in front of me. I looked very hard for even just one little hair but this bird was as smooth as a hen. I did not shoot the bird even though I was positive it was a male bird. I can’t find any of my old regulation books but I was sure that it stated that the bird had to have a beard. Now the regulations read “The bag limit is one bearded OR male turkey for the entire spring.” I think they added the “or male” part. My questions are: Was I correct two years ago and if this would happen again can I shoot it now? I’m positive it was a male, without a beard, and the regs do say “bearded OR male”. Are the regs worded poorly and do they still want it to have a beard? It never hurts to be sure.
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Post by buster on Jun 8, 2006 15:56:18 GMT -5
First of all, you should get rid of your old regs, as they commonly change from year to year. That WAS a legal bird two years ago, as it is still a legal bird to shoot during the spring season. Page 9 of the most recent hunting regs (from this spring season) states: 'The bag limit is one bearded or male turkey for the entire spring season.' Sounds like the regs are pretty cut-N-dry to me. 'OR' meaning one or the other.
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Post by DaWG on Jun 9, 2006 11:20:25 GMT -5
I would agree with Buster, get rid of your old regs. and read the new ones every year. You had a Tom that probaly had beard rot. The beard will fall apart one strand at a time. From my perspective (and understanding of the regs.) you had a legal bird.
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Post by mullis56 on Jun 9, 2006 13:20:09 GMT -5
What they said ;D
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Post by danf on Jun 11, 2006 18:27:27 GMT -5
The only reason I've found to keep old reg books is to reference past regulations in Internet arguments! ;D
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Post by pbr on Jun 11, 2006 20:00:58 GMT -5
Legal turkey.
Drop the hammer on him, unless you are beard hunting.
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Post by kevin1 on Jun 13, 2006 11:00:38 GMT -5
I prefer to err to the side of caution too , I wouldn't have taken the shot either .
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Post by mbogo on Jun 14, 2006 11:24:04 GMT -5
The exact same issue came up for my father about 4 years ago. It was legal then and is legal now.
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Post by chicobrownbear on Jun 14, 2006 11:41:39 GMT -5
You made the right call not being sure. Always better safe than having to be sorry financially.
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