A Real Turkey(Beard) Nest

[RodHaydel1]

After returning home from a successful turkey hunt in Kansas this spring Haydel’s Game Calls’ prostaffer Ken Merrill decided to dry out his trophy in the back yard. It was his biggest turkey to date with almost a 12 inch beard and 1 916” spurs this was truly a nice old bird that was on the down side according to his weight. Ken placed the beard and spurs to dry a couple days on his fence. Big mistake! A few days later when he returned he found one leg in the next yard and the beard and other spur where not to be found. A few more days passed and on further investigation he found the beard in a tree next to an existing bird nest. Looks like the out grew the home with the new addition so remodeling was in order.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c286/RodHaydel/nest1.jpg

[Strut10]

Welcome to the forums, Rod!!!! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Stick around. I think you'll find us a pretty good bunch.

Shame that such a good bird got his pieces parts dragged all around the neighborhood. I'm thinking at 12" and 1 9/16" hooks................that old boy would be on my wall........full body mount.

[BowtechTurkeyHunter]

Nice turkey for sure ... to bad about the beard ... at least it makes for a humorous sotry for sure..

Steve

[HONKERS44]

mercy....he should have known better......anyways chalk one up for the birds........lol....Honkers44
Welcome Rod......!!!!!!

[outdoorgirl]

cool story.....welcome to the forum

[borch]

Welcome to the board Rod!

That's too bad about the beard and spur. But I can relate. I had some mice who made short work on one of my nicest beards to date. Turned a real paintbrush into nothing special.

[maytom]

Great story and pic to match!! But, that's a perfect reason why I never leave my beards or legs outside to dry. I bet he learned a lesson on that mishap!!

[huntn4bucks]

Welcome to the forums Rod. That's a pretty interesting story. I never considered turkey beards as nesting material. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Hoyt03]

welcome aboard Rod. Very funny story.

[ruttinbuc]

That about beats all! These critters are certainly inventive! Welcome to the boards!

[Rhino]

Welcome to the forum Rod.

I learned that lesson the hard way too a long time ago. Only difference was the only thing missing was the beard on my bird and I never found it. I guess some critter used it for his nest too. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[HuntnMa]

i would be heartbroken........but at least he knows where it went, lol...