A Tale of Two Turkeys (and a MacQuarrie quotation)
 

After the Southern Elaine and I hit the road wandering back in time to give our "hometown" turkeys a try. Over the course of several hunts I was able to use two guns I'd planned for some hunts at our farm. The birds were cooperative.

The first bird -- a bearded hen (yes, legal in the Show-me State) -- I called in hoping that it was part of a flock with a gobbler. She was alone and took exception to my expensive decoy and so, became my first ever bearded hen...and with the first shot from my John Dickson and Sons back action hammer gun. This 10 bore was produced in 1888 according to Dicksons, and it was made for the very eccentric Charles Gordon (a relative??). So, Elaine says we know at least two crazy guys owned this gun.

The second bird was part of this morning's ridge top drama that unfolded with me throwing everything I had at two Toms that started gobbling well before first light after getting revved up by a coyote serenade. I threw everything I had at them -- four different calls -- trying to make them think there was a party in my opening. After an hour of challenge calling between them, they wandered the woods road on cue, and when they saw the Jake and hen decoys, the deal was sealed. I used my Ithaca 3 1/2 inch magnum. At well over 11 pounds this 1937 monster used to be my go-to turkey gun (I can't believe now that I toted that gun all over creation "back in the day").

The way both these birds were enticed to their end by my decoys reminded me of one of my favorite Gordon MacQuarrie passages, "They learned a lesson that was of no further use to them."

The decoys did the trick, finished up with two grands guns

Guys, thanks for sharing your turkey hunts and keep the photos and stories coming. They are appreciated.

I am blessed and grateful.

Just great Garry. Nice work.

First off, great photos and congrats. Second, I really wish I had more time with you and Elaine at the Southern, great seeing you!

Same here, Andy. I wanted to hear you and Elaine tell “growing up Italian” stories (and share recipes). Let’s commit to do so next year.

Congratulations! Nice birds for the table.

Garry ,well done and a great story. And the guns are the frosting on the cake. Younger son just left after telling me about the jake he let walk as he had him dead to rights at 15 yards with my eh 10. I would have closed the deal but he has taken enough that he wants to hold the tag for a mature bird.

Hey, Dan, I get your son’s letting a Jake pass. Jake’s do taste good, and they provide lots of comic relief.

Awesome!! I love the stock on the Dickson!!! WOW!! It's a beauty!!!



Thanks,



Bobby

Garry, about five or six years ago I had eight toms right in my driveway, three longbeards and five jakes… But there was a ninth bird with three beards, the longest being about nine or ten inches and the shortest about four or five inches. It was a hen and she was traveling with a flock of males who paid her no attention. It was right in the beginning of their breeding season so maybe bearded hens are not attractive to toms…?






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A good question, Dean. It would be interesting to see if there’s any reliable research about the behavior of bearded hens. This one was aggressive, but boss hens generally are. I think she would have pecked the finish off my decoy if I hadn’t interrupted the fight.

For what it’s worth, the breasts of this hen were slow cooked to make pulled turkey barbecue. Even after 7 hours of slow cooking, it is chewy.

As they say - "A tough old bird was she."





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G MacQuarrie has some of the best quotes. Good looking birds. Congratulations

I always cook my turkey legs and thighs in the crockpot for at least 12 hours, then I pick and shred them. Had a great meal with putting the meat and gravy over mashed potatoes, good comfort food. Some I froze and will use ase taco meat, carnitas, or in fajitas.

Harold, I’ll pass this on to Elaine. I will say that the hen I shot was as tough as any turkey I’ve had the pleasure to sample…and in 52 years of turkey hunting, this bird was the toughest.