8-year-old hunter kills 3-bearded gobbler

gobbler
Eight-year-old Jackson Leahew of Tega Cay, S.C. killed this 19-pound, triple-bearded gobbler on May 9 in Cabarrus County, N.C.

Youth hunter’s dad also killed gobbler on the same hunt

Eight-year-old Jackson Leahew of Tega Cay, S.C. killed his first turkey on May 9 in Cabarrus County, N.C. And it’s a doozy. The gobbler had three beards, weighed 19 pounds, and sported 1 3/16-inch spurs. The three beards totaled 22 1/4 inches in length.

Joe Leahew, Jackson’s dad, said the bird is already on its way to the taxidermist for a mount to help commemorate the hunt. The biggest beard measured 10 1/2 inches in length. The next beard taped out at 7 1/2 inches, and the third beard was 4 1/4 inches long.

To make the day even more special, the father-son duo made it a double. Joe Leahew shot a gobbler too. He was hunting with a muzzleloader shotgun, and it’s the first time he’s killed a turkey with that type of firearm.

gobbler
Jackson Leahew’s Cabarrus County gobbler had three beards totaling 22 1/4 inches in length.

It’s the second species they’ve doubled up on

“What made the moment even more special is we got to pull a double, and I harvested my first turkey with a muzzleloader shotgun. He’s still so excited, as am I,” said Joe Leahew.

Although it’s the first time they’ve doubled up on turkeys, it’s not their first time doubling up in the woods. The two doubled up on does during a hunt this past December. And that was the first deer Jackson has ever killed.

It looks like the bucks in their area will have to step up their game this fall once these two get back into the woods together!

The father-son duo doubled up on does in December, and on gobblers in May.
About Brian Cope 2726 Articles
Brian Cope is the editor of Carolina Sportsman. He has won numerous awards for his writing, photography, and videography. He is a retired Air Force combat communications technician, and has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of South Carolina. You can reach him at brianc@sportsmannetwork.com.

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