Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Other than doing a fan mount, what do you guys do with your beards and spurs?  Does anyone label them so you can keep track of each one to remember what season and where you killed your bird (for those of you who hunt out of state).  I guess I'm looking for a good way to keep track of the different birds I've taken and would be kind of neat to compare from year to year, state to state (assuming I keep hunting in different states every year).  I think I can keep most of them seperated in my mind right now, but in another year or two I definitely will probably not be able to keep them distinguished.  Plus you can only do so many fan mounts, I've started giving mine away to a guy who makes arrows with the feathers.

Anyone have any suggestions or things they like to do with them?

I keep all my tail feathers, spurs, and beards.  I clean the meat off of the feathers and then put the spurs and beard ends in borax for a week.  After that I put them in a big ziplock bag with all the important information on them from the kill.   Then I file them away.

I do this cause I figure one day I may not be able to get out and it is a way for me to relive the hunt and not forget each bird.  I also have what I call a harvest album which is a photo album with all my kills and the information from the hunt.  I write down the bird's measurements, what call I used, what the bird did, the distance of the shot, the type shell, and which gun I killed it with.  If someone was with me than I make sure their name is written beside it.

I like that! Great idea.

Quote from: davisd9 on July 11, 2012, 07:23:56 AM


I do this cause I figure one day I may not be able to get out and it is a way for me to relive the hunt and not forget each bird.  I also have what I call a harvest album which is a photo album with all my kills and the information from the hunt.  I write down the bird's measurements, what call I used, what the bird did, the distance of the shot, the type shell, and which gun I killed it with.  If someone was with me than I make sure their name is written beside it.

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419380_2779320124085_876863136_n.jpg)

I have the hulls labeled with bird #, place, time, distance, bird specs, etc.

This is what I have been doing for a few years. I also write on the brass the stats of the hunt. I tried to pair up the spurs with the beard but after I've moved it several times they have moved but most are correct.

TRKYHTR

(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff214/trkyhtr/102_2336.jpg)

(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff214/trkyhtr/102_2339.jpg)

That string with the beards, spurs and beads is pretty cool.  I have no idea which spurs go with which beards.  I wish I would have saved the spurs through my whole hunting career, and I wish I knew how many beards my ex-wife sold in a garage sale.
Here's a pic of the man cave and a some strings of spurs that I have kept.

(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb403/fullstrut2/Mancave.jpg)

(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb403/fullstrut2/102_0119.jpg)

Here's some of mine glued into pieces of deer antler. Yes I shot some jakes in my first few years in a chair.
Did the shell brass thing for years but the brass will tarnish over time.
The one in the middle with the engraved turkey track was made from an antler burr, this was my first bird with a crossbow so I wanted something different to set it apart from the others.
My last 6 years of beards are still in a box.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p75/barry61/IMG_8432_1_1.jpg)

I keep my legs and beards in  NWTF trunks that I purchased at a NWTF banquet auction.  The leg trunk is full and the beard trunk is getting there.

I wish I had kept all of mine. I killed some great birds before I figured out the spurs were my preferred trophy! I threw many away with carcasses and dogs got in a five gallon bucket of several years worth of gobbler legs from multiple states. Now I could kick myself.

Great looking displays guys!

I string them up for now, might work on a display some day, fans I give away to folks who need them for crafts, arrows, projects, etc.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/mudhen/2012Turkey015.jpg)

mudhen

GSLAM, Impressive string of hooks you got there
You too Mudhen

I'm thinking you gods have way better places and a lot more time to hunt them than I do!!???

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

Quote from: Nolehoe on July 11, 2012, 06:12:23 PM
I'm thinking you gods have way better places and a lot more time to hunt them than I do!!???

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

That may be the case for some, but I would be willing to bet that there are some bona fide turkey killers on the site.  I enjoy seeing what others have compiled over a lifetime of hunting and it also keeps me grounded in knowing that there are always folks out there that I could still learn a lot from.
As far as the time factor, where there is a will there is a way.  I hold down a full time teaching job and managed to hunt every morning but two of the Missouri Season several springs ago--mostly taking other folks and mostly before school.  I don't have sole access on any of the properties I hunt, including some public places, but I try to hunt a minimum of three states a year--All on a school teacher salary and within the parameters of taking four personal days a year.
Also, you have to realize some of these folks have been turkey hunting for 30 plus years. 

Front of my harvest album:

(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af161/davisd9/IMG_1152-1.jpg)

A page from the album (some of this year's birds):

(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af161/davisd9/IMG_1155.jpg)

We've got some carnage here fellas, some turkey killing machines!  Thanks for some of the ideas you've given me as well.  If I keep up on the pace I'm at hopefully I'll be in some of your shoes down the road, like others have said I just want something to savor some of the hunts through the years. 

GSLAM95
I'd buy a ticket just to walk through your room!
Greg

Quote from: deerhunt1988 on July 11, 2012, 09:50:46 AM
(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419380_2779320124085_876863136_n.jpg)

I have the hulls labeled with bird #, place, time, distance, bird specs, etc.

I like the board, where did you get one?

BTW, some of the pictures in this thread make me feel very insignificant:D:D

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 11, 2012, 10:59:23 AM
Impressive Joe! Where do you keep that string? That would look great in a trophy room up along a crown molding.

I did have it in my room at the top of the wall. Now it's laying on one of my mounts.

TRKYHTR

(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff214/trkyhtr/002-39.jpg)

Quote from: land cruiser on July 12, 2012, 12:20:29 AM

Quote from: deerhunt1988 on July 11, 2012, 09:50:46 AM
(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419380_2779320124085_876863136_n.jpg)

I have the hulls labeled with bird #, place, time, distance, bird specs, etc.

I like the board, where did you get one?

BTW, some of the pictures in this thread make me feel very insignificant:D:D

I got the board at the last NWTF convention from:

http://www.turkeyfanman.com/

Need to order another one soon..Held off on buying more than 1 at the time because I didn't know how i'd like it...I love it and it gets a lot of compliments..

Also got the turkey slam display from the site...Going to put one my slams from this season on it..

Tie the beards on a string, and toss the spurs in the trash. 


:OGturkeyhead: :OGturkeyhead:

I keep my spurs but I don't really display them.  Beards on the other hand I put in a beer mug and let the bristles stick out the top.  When one mug gets full I just start another one.  Looks good setting on the mantle and dosn't take up a lot of space.

Quote from: deerhunt1988 on July 12, 2012, 09:59:25 AM

Quote from: land cruiser on July 12, 2012, 12:20:29 AM

Quote from: deerhunt1988 on July 11, 2012, 09:50:46 AM
(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419380_2779320124085_876863136_n.jpg)

I have the hulls labeled with bird #, place, time, distance, bird specs, etc.

I like the board, where did you get one?

BTW, some of the pictures in this thread make me feel very insignificant:D:D

I got the board at the last NWTF convention from:

http://www.turkeyfanman.com/

Need to order another one soon..Held off on buying more than 1 at the time because I didn't know how i'd like it...I love it and it gets a lot of compliments..

Also got the turkey slam display from the site...Going to put one my slams from this season on it..

Thank you!

Quote from: TRKYHTR on July 12, 2012, 12:38:22 AM

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 11, 2012, 10:59:23 AM
Impressive Joe! Where do you keep that string? That would look great in a trophy room up along a crown molding.

I did have it in my room at the top of the wall. Now it's laying on one of my mounts.

TRKYHTR

(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff214/trkyhtr/002-39.jpg)

Hey Joe,
The tail feathers that look like they're stuck in bondo at the base of the mount on the right, is that for a mount or a new decoy?

Quote from: davisd9 on July 11, 2012, 07:07:23 PM
Front of my harvest album:

(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af161/davisd9/IMG_1152-1.jpg)

A page from the album (some of this year's birds):

(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af161/davisd9/IMG_1155.jpg)

I like it, how are the pics affixed to the pages?

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

It is an actually just a photo album that I purchased from Walmart.

(http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af161/davisd9/photoalbum.jpg)

Quote from: barry on July 12, 2012, 02:59:13 PM

Quote from: TRKYHTR on July 12, 2012, 12:38:22 AM

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 11, 2012, 10:59:23 AM
Impressive Joe! Where do you keep that string? That would look great in a trophy room up along a crown molding.

I did have it in my room at the top of the wall. Now it's laying on one of my mounts.

TRKYHTR

(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff214/trkyhtr/002-39.jpg)

Hey Joe,
The tail feathers that look like they're stuck in bondo at the base of the mount on the right, is that for a mount or a new decoy?

Barry I was trying to figure out how to make a tailfan in an arc like gobblers do when they are bringing their tail down. That was just an extra tail I used as practice. It came out real nice. Then I mounted the real one on my Edward Scissorhand mount. I think the first one turned out better but they both look OK.

TRKYHTR

Unlike my beards, I keep about 90% of my spurs in one location.  I need to get me one of them strings, but until then I'll just throw them in my bucket.  The plan is if I ever get the bucket to where it won't hold anymore spurs I'll retire from turkey hunting and take up golf or something.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/olesixbeards/P7140139%20blackout_zps82a7198c.jpg)
My beards go on the appropriate state beard board.  I have three of these boards, one for Florida,  Georgia and Alabama.  This is my Bama board.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/olesixbeards/P5250204.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/olesixbeards/P5250200.jpg)
I got the bright idea when I moved to Alabama I would make a board for each season for ten years (93 to 03).  I made one the first year then just threw the next nine years worth in a shoe box.  Here they are spread out on the driveway.  The board is at the top.  I took an old board and drilled holes the size of a 12 ga. shell in it.  I put the shells through the hole then put the beard in the shell.  Looks pretty good hanging up, the beards stick out from the wall instead of hanging down.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/olesixbeards/100plusbeards.jpg)
I also have what I call my Uh-oh board.  It includes shels from misses with the place, date, and who I was with when the miss occurred. It also has accidental Jake kills, shot off beards, a bearded hen,  and a hospital band from my broke nose turkey.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/olesixbeards/P6020005.jpg)
Oh, and I forgot to mention about half of these are from high pressured public land.  Some folks seem to always mention that for some reason so I figured I should too.

Guesswho, obviously you need to keep seeking advice so you can figure it out!  No turkeys in Bama, especially on public land!!!

How many buckets of spurs does your mom have?

Your Momma taught you well gw!!!

Quote from: drenalinld on July 14, 2012, 01:36:21 PM
How many buckets of spurs does your mom have?

She has enough to fininsh filling my bucket. :laugh:

That's amazing, Ronnie!
Greg

Quote from: guesswho on July 14, 2012, 03:32:51 PM

Quote from: drenalinld on July 14, 2012, 01:36:21 PM
How many buckets of spurs does your mom have?

She has enough to fininsh filling my bucket. :laugh:

I think when your bucket fills up you should just get a bigger bucket so you can keep killin turkeys.

TRKYHTR

Quote from: TRKYHTR on July 14, 2012, 04:15:16 PM
I think when your bucket fills up you should just get a bigger bucket so you can keep killin turkeys.

TRKYHTR

Thats still an option too! :D

Love the idea of the "Uh-oh" board, haha.

Quote from: deerhunt1988 on July 14, 2012, 10:36:12 PM
Love the idea of the "Uh-oh" board, haha.

I think my "Uh-Oh" board would be alot bigger.

TRKYHTR

He might have two uh-oh buckets??

Some awesome displays and collections everyone, congrats! :drool: :you_rock:

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 15, 2012, 05:35:37 PM
You just hold back till you can't stand it any longer don't ya? :TooFunny:

:TooFunny:  I come out of my shell every now and then.

Pretty strong there Bub.

Guesswho have you ever heard of a limit? Your 93-03 collection suggest that you haven't!...

Quote from: North40R on July 21, 2012, 07:07:03 PM
Guesswho have you ever heard of a limit? Your 93-03 collection suggest that you haven't!...

North40R, have you ever heard of thinking before you type?  Your reply suggests that you haven't!...  I live on the AL/GA line which gives me 8 tags without having to travel.  I also do Florida most years along with one or two more states.  Most years I have 12 to 16 tags.  Do the math, then count the beards in the picture, here I'll do it for you, 12x10=120, 16x10=160 .  So the bare minimum number of tags I had would be 120.  I asssure you each and everyone in the 93 to 03 picture was legal.  People like yourself is the reason I don't post many pictures anymore.    

Quote from: North40R on July 21, 2012, 07:07:03 PM
Guesswho have you ever heard of a limit? Your 93-03 collection suggest that you haven't!...

Have you ever thought of multiple states.

TRKYHTR

Thanks Joe!

Quote from: North40R on July 21, 2012, 07:07:03 PM
Guesswho have you ever heard of a limit? Your 93-03 collection suggest that you haven't!...

If you were nice to him, mebbe he would take ya with him.
Maybe he should change his name to Guesshowmany.....

How about maybe the guy is a fanatical turkey hunter that knows what he is doing, lives and breathes the stuff, and either has the funds or makes the sacrifices to travel to as many places as he can to hunt em.

Personally, I don't care how many a person kills as long as they were using legal methods, and I'm not going to speculate about things I don't have firsthand knowledge of.  

Guesswho, I hope ya kill 50 next year. :z-guntootsmiley:

Quote from: North40R on July 21, 2012, 07:07:03 PM
Guesswho have you ever heard of a limit? Your 93-03 collection suggest that you haven't!...

That's a pretty nasty comment considering you don't even know the man........ >:(
Ronnie is as straight a shooter as you will ever meet, is a turkeys worst nightmare, and a good friend of mine.
Please refrain from making comments about a person when you don't know all your facts.

Quote from: chatterbox on July 21, 2012, 08:51:48 PM

Quote from: North40R on July 21, 2012, 07:07:03 PM
Guesswho have you ever heard of a limit? Your 93-03 collection suggest that you haven't!...

That's a pretty nasty comment considering you don't even know the man........ >:(
Ronnie is as straight a shooter as you will ever meet, and is a turkeys worst nightmare, and a good friend of mine.
Please refrain from making comments about a person when you don't know all your facts.

  I want to be like Ronnie when I grow up !  :icon_thumright:

(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/007.jpg)


  Here's some that I've been working on.


   vaturkey    :newmascot:

Quote from: vaturkey on July 21, 2012, 09:09:20 PM
(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/007.jpg)


  Here's some that I've been working on.


   vaturkey    :newmascot:

Whats that, two years worth?  You must be a poacher :TooFunny:

I appreciate the ground support from everyone :icon_thumright: 
North40R is probably a good ole boy, just typed without thinking.  At least I hope so.

Quote from: guesswho on July 21, 2012, 09:16:58 PM

Quote from: vaturkey on July 21, 2012, 09:09:20 PM
(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/007.jpg)


  Here's some that I've been working on.


   vaturkey    :newmascot:

Whats that, two years worth?  You must be a poacher :TooFunny:



I appreciate the ground support from everyone :icon_thumright: 
North40R is probably a good ole boy, just typed without thinking.  At least I hope so.

UGH, Did I mention I hunt multiple states also & we have bonus tags & kill permits here in Va.  :icon_thumright:

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 21, 2012, 09:22:43 PM
Son of a B! I thought that was my honor alone! I've been usurptedfied!

Ok, I need a 2oz. dictionary for that one. :TooFunny:

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 21, 2012, 09:30:18 PM
That's right, I said hex! Sewin up little Guesswho, VAturkey and TRKYHNTR voodoo dolls right now. Got a bag of garlic and chicken bones I stop and shake ever couple minutes even. Felt that little stick did ya?

MUUUHAAAAHAAAAHHAAAAAAAA!
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hVrREeC0lk/Tbj6Ppsg3lI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/KcmTPRXGZDs/s1600/WitchDoctorCostaRica.jpg)

I got REAL thick skin. Better have a BIG needle !

Geese how come just because someone has a large kill count that some people feel they need to accuse them of being an outlaw.  I guess it boils down to being jealous or ignorant on the different methods one can do to accomplish their results.  Either way its best you just stay quite if you do not know all the details and on an internet forum you rarely ever will so congradulate the guy or dont say anything and move on.  

I hold back on putting a lot of pics up as well just because its not worth arguing about.  That goes for turkeys, deer, ducks, or even fishing.  This forum has not been that way in the past, but over the last year I have seen it more and more.  Its almost fall so before you know it someone will kill a big deer and another will say he shot it spot lighting or something ::)  I hope not. I love seeing pics of others success and to me thats one thing that makes a great forum such as this one  :icon_thumright:

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 21, 2012, 09:30:18 PM
That's right, I said hex! Sewin up little Guesswho, VAturkey and TRKYHNTR voodoo dolls right now. Got a bag of garlic and chicken bones I stop and shake ever couple minutes even. Felt that little stick did ya?

MUUUHAAAAHAAAAHHAAAAAAAA!
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hVrREeC0lk/Tbj6Ppsg3lI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/KcmTPRXGZDs/s1600/WitchDoctorCostaRica.jpg)

I/ve been cut and stuck so many times I probably won't even notice it.  But just in case I'm rubbing turkey poop all over me hoping to ward off the hex.  I'll let you know if it worked March 15th 2013.  That is if we get past 12/21/12. 

Jealous hunters make me laugh.....lol.....calling out killers because they can't seal the deal and hold their own in the woods.

 :TooFunny: Y'all can be pretty entertaining once you get on a roll. 

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 21, 2012, 09:54:39 PM
Ain't got time fer this foolishness. Just pulled the sewin thread back out and workin on another couple dolls..
Shake, shake, shake.....shake yo garlic chicken bones!

I usually don't fear men with sewin thread, but I'm a little concerned about this one :TooFunny:

Voodoo my hoodooo...Maybe we should get a voodoo doll to pass around next year and see who can take a kill pic with it. 

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 21, 2012, 09:30:18 PM
That's right, I said hex! Sewin up little Guesswho, VAturkey and TRKYHNTR voodoo dolls right now. Got a bag of garlic and chicken bones I stop and shake ever couple minutes even. Felt that little stick did ya?

MUUUHAAAAHAAAAHHAAAAAAAA!
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hVrREeC0lk/Tbj6Ppsg3lI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/KcmTPRXGZDs/s1600/WitchDoctorCostaRica.jpg)

Sorry my wife already has one of those of me. It trumps anything you can put together. Lol

TRKYHTR

Quote from: 2ounce6s on July 21, 2012, 09:54:39 PM
Ain't got time fer this foolishness. Just pulled the sewin thread back out and workin on another couple dolls..
Shake, shake, shake.....shake yo garlic chicken bones!

Theron you're a trip...lol....good stuff buddy.

Quote from: TRKYHTR on July 21, 2012, 10:20:58 PM
Sorry my wife already has one of those of me. It trumps anything you can put together. Lol

TRKYHTR

:TooFunny:  I know what you mean.

Quote from: Shotgun on July 21, 2012, 10:16:55 PM
Voodoo my hoodooo...Maybe we should get a voodoo doll to pass around next year and see who can take a kill pic with it. 

I know a man with a needle and thread who could fix us up, now there's something I didn't ever think I'd be saying, at least on a public forum.

We'll just call him doc  ;)

heck, we all know Ronnie can't count, so he never told us how many he has killed, but after seeing that side view, all i can say, DA@@, wish my Momma had taught me how to turkey hunt like that, maybe i wish my grandma had turkey hunted instead of squirrel hunting, then maybe my spur bucket wouldn't be an 6 oz solo cup about half full, they is just some turkey killin machines on here, maybe one day i can post some pics of my beards and spurs, if i can only get Ronnie or Joe from Cali to take me, i gotta get a hook up or maybe a spur up, great pics from all you guys, public, private or whatever, any turkey i kill is a good one, i want a notebook with all my kills in it, a post it note does the job just fine so far

Quote from: vaturkey on July 21, 2012, 09:00:24 PM

Quote from: chatterbox on July 21, 2012, 08:51:48 PM

Quote from: North40R on July 21, 2012, 07:07:03 PM
Guesswho have you ever heard of a limit? Your 93-03 collection suggest that you haven't!...

That's a pretty nasty comment considering you don't even know the man........ >:(
Ronnie is as straight a shooter as you will ever meet, and is a turkeys worst nightmare, and a good friend of mine.
Please refrain from making comments about a person when you don't know all your facts.

  I want to be like Ronnie when I grow up !  :icon_thumright:

I'd be satisfied to be like Ronnie's Mom!

Quote from: Hooksfan on July 11, 2012, 11:01:04 AM
That string with the beards, spurs and beads is pretty cool.  I have no idea which spurs go with which beards.  I wish I would have saved the spurs through my whole hunting career, and I wish I knew how many beards my ex-wife sold in a garage sale.
Here's a pic of the man cave and a some strings of spurs that I have kept.

(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb403/fullstrut2/Mancave.jpg)

(http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb403/fullstrut2/102_0119.jpg)

YOUR EX WIFE SOLD YOUR BEARDS?!! THAT SOUNDS LIKE A REASON FOR MURDER!!

I just caught up to speed on this thread, was hoping to see a bunch more cool pictures of beards and spurs but instead it was disappointing to see that a bama member has jumped to conclusion on Ronnies kill total.  Hopefully it was just a big misunderstanding and he can be forgiven instead of nailed to the cross.
I am a turkey junky so to speak just as many others here and like it a lot better when everyone is getting along so hopefully we can get this thread back on track after the momentary  :TrainWreck1:  we encountered.
:anim_25: turkey hunting to all!!  

Quote from: Ruger M77 on July 24, 2012, 06:25:22 PM

YOUR EX WIFE SOLD YOUR BEARDS?!! THAT SOUNDS LIKE A REASON FOR MURDER!!
[/quote]
:toothy9:
My friend, don't ever underestimate the malicious and vindictive nature of a woman.  She knew I hunted when we met.  She thought she would change that.  She was wrong.  She waited for turkey season to file for divorce, locked me outta the house and had herself a garage sale.  I wouldn't have even noticed when I did if a friend that owned a turkey barn hadn't told me that one of his workers came to work and was laughing about this woman selling her husbands turkey beards.  As close as I can tell, she sold about 15 or so beards and four or five fans.  I know the fans went to a local hardware/sporting goods store.
Trust me, there is only one reason she is above ground and that is because I have two kids that love her and call her mother.  I would have rather she cheated on me.....nevermind....she did that too.  :funnyturkey: