Bird down!

[oldleclercrd]

Its been a long season but I finally made it happen! Those are the longest spurs ive ever seen on any of my Merriams, and I have gotten 22.

[jackelope]

Congrats!!
Way to stick with it.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 Cool, I love turkey. Could eat it every day of the week. Nice work.

[Jason]

Nice job!

[goducks]

congrats. nice bird.

[oldleclercrd]

Yeah thanks all! It sure seems like there are alot less birds these days though...

[turkeydancer]

Although a fair amount of the decrease in populations can be attributed to recent bad winters, you have to know that a large amount is due to the liberal seasons and bag limits established by the state bird manager who doesn't want to ever have to deal with property owners complaints ... so Mick, lets just take out those breeding hens on top of the winter kill ... not only can we decimate the populations, but also the recovery ... basically so you don't have to do your job of managing the populations. And as a bonus you get more turkey tag money in your coffers.
 

[LITTLEBUCK]

Congrats on your bird. But I have to respond to TurkeyDancer here on throwing Mick under the Bus. I do agree with you on our late season hen hunts taking a lot of our breeding hens but I also want to state it is your choice to hunt it or not and if I remember correctly you have been there every year shooting your hens. Just saying

[Birdguy]

That is some awesome coloring on that bird. Do you have another shot with the tail? I really like a white tipped Merriam, I have yet to get one, mine seem a little cream colored. Great bird for sure.

[oldleclercrd]

I have to get the other pics off of my camera, but I have this one more from my phone. The whitest bird ive ever shot!

[turkeydancer]

Little Buck -

Mick presented to the State BOD to increase the early fall season to 2 either sex birds with no permit required ... the BOD recommended tabling it to the summer since we were 2-1/4 years into the 3 year state plan and also recommended 2 birds of either sex in the late fall season only (when any damage was being done). Mick went ahead with his 2 beardless birds only + 1 additional either sex bird in early fall plus 1 either sex in the late fall season without further input or agreement from the State BOD.  His decision solely ... no one else ... input ignored.  Having dealt with Mick, I know he would just have issued "excess birds" (nuissance) harvesting permits anyway and take out hundreds of birds like they did at Dan's a few years ago. He just does not want to deal with any "excess bird" complaints, and he won't let us trap and transfer them either to allieviate any problems. 
 
By your reasoning since there has been a lot of decisions by the state about elk hunting, deer hunting, fishing, etc  that I haven't agreed with, then I should just stop hunting and fishing altogether. As far as the fall seasons, you choose not to hunt the fall seasons even for a tom and that's okay ... that's your choice.  Although I never have agreed with Mick's decisions that seem to be based solely on him not having to deal with any complaints, if they are going to open a season I'm going hunting. Doesn't mean I agree with him or have to like it.