First-Time Hunter Scores a Once-in-a-Lifetime Turkey

After the successful harvest, Jacqueline realized that her turkey was particularly unique, with four beards and large spurs.

“Typically, gobblers only have one beard, but on occasion some gobblers will have multiple beards, with the record for most beards being 13,” said Mark Hatfield, NWTF National Director of Conservation Services. “I’d estimate that less than 2 percent of gobblers have more than one beard, making a four-bearded bird a rare harvest.”

However, this amazing feat didn’t come without its challenges. Growing up in a Californian family with no hunting tradition, it wasn’t until college that she had her first introduction to the outdoor lifestyle. It was there she met her boyfriend, Chris Simas, who is an avid hunter and angler. Jacqueline recalls listening to him share his hunting and fishing stories with her while introducing her to wild game cuisine—all of which captivated her interest for hunting.

Despite having no hunting background, Jacqueline was determined to learn the skills necessary to become a successful hunter. In 2021, she took a leap of faith and enrolled in a hunter's education class, eager to gain knowledge and confidence in the outdoors. After a period of hard work and dedication, she successfully passed the course in April, allowing her to purchase her first-ever hunting license. This achievement not only proved her commitment to the sport but also allowed her to immerse herself in the hunting community and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Following a year of practice and planning, Jacqueline geared up for her first hunting trip in April 2022. With her sights set on the Rio Grande turkey in California, she prepared to set out with Chris by her side, sharing her eagerness for the upcoming adventure.

“I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness,” Jacqueline said, “…but I did feel very prepared and safe since I had practiced extensively prior to my hunt.”

On the early morning of April 9, Jacqueline and her partner went afield to begin their hunt. Hiking through the oak forests and rolling hills of Northern California, the pair scouted a perfect location for the hunt. Setting up at the base of a hillside, Jacqueline and Chris positioned their decoys in a meadow surrounded by new growth of wildflowers that bloomed with the arrival of Spring.

As the sun rose on the horizon, the hunters began slate calling, patiently waiting for a response. Eventually, their efforts paid off as a curious hen made her way into the area. Jacqueline watched in anticipation as the hen foraged about 70 yards away, hoping that a tom would soon follow in her footsteps. Soon after, a mature tom emerged, strutting for the hen. Upon spotting the tom, Jacqueline described her excitement.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she recounted. “I had never been that close to a turkey before. It looked so beautiful the way the sun was hitting his feathers as he strutted back and forth. My heart was beating so fast and it was hard to hold my excitement and not move.”

After a period of calling and waiting, the tom grew curious and began to gradually approach the decoys. Upon reaching the decoys, the tom charged towards the jake decoy, ready for a fight. With steady composure and patience, honed by practice and preparation for this moment, Jacqueline trained her 12-gauge shotgun on the strutting turkey. As the tom lifted his head upwards, providing the perfect shot opportunity, Jacqueline seized the moment and fired.

 “My heart was beating uncontrollably, but I focused, squeezed the trigger slowly, and the tom fell,” Jacqueline described.

As Jacqueline and her boyfriend approached the fallen turkey, she felt a sense of reverence for the bird before her. She took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the turkey as the sun illuminated his feathers, revealing the iridescent colors. For Jacqueline, this experience was not just about the hunt, but about the connection to nature and the sense of accomplishment that comes from a successful harvest.

The excitement of discovering the rarity of her remarkable turkey during her first hunting experience was an unexpected thrill that Jacqueline will never forget. Not only did she harvest a magnificent bird, but she also realized the uniqueness of her achievement with its four beards and impressive score.

Contacting NWTF member Paul Pagliuso to help measure the bird, the beards were found to be 8 1/8 inches, 7 9/16 inches, 7 11/16 inches, and 10 ¾ inches, with a total length of 34 1/8 inches. The spurs were measured at 1 7/16 inches and 1 3/8 inches, and the turkey weighed 19.4 pounds. This impressive turkey scored a massive 115.625 calculated on the NWTF scoring system, and placed as the seventh largest Rio Grande turkey ever recorded in the Golden State.

As a woman in a field often dominated by men, Jacqueline is proud to break the mold and encourage other women to step out of their comfort zones and try new things. She hopes her story inspires others to embrace their passions and explore the outdoors with confidence and determination.