Turkey question

FirstFreedom · April 28, 2007, 10:35 AM

Hey I finally got a bird this morning. My question is, is this a jake or a 2nd year? 3/4" spurs, or just a hair under. 8.75" beard. Only weighed 17.5 lbs, *before* field dressing ("on the claw"). My guess is a 2-year old, but is it possible a jake can grow a beard out to over 8" already, since the spurs and weight were small? Anyway, longest shot I've made at a turkey, at 36.5-37 yards - didn't hit him very well - he flopped a LOT until I wrung his neck. Gonna try to keep my shots under 35 from now on. Happy to have some breast meat though; time for some oriental stir fry!

indybrad · April 28, 2007, 12:34 PM

Jakes (1 yr olds) have spurs which are usually 1/2" or less and are generally very rounded. During the spring season, jakes will range from having no more than a bump for a spur to a better defined 1/2" long spur like the one shown in the photo.

The 2-yr old gobbler has longer spurs (1/2" to 1") which are generally still straight and still very blunt on the ends.

3-yr. olds and older birds have the longest, sharpest spurs and they will also have some curve to them.

FirstFreedom · April 28, 2007, 01:01 PM

Perfect; thanks; yeah he was two - the spurs were kinda blunt.

piercfh · April 30, 2007, 12:48 AM

When I look at turkeys in the field I usually just look for a strutting bird to determine if he's a long beard. Also they are allot bigger bodied, and will have a fuller fan. I dont think I have ever seen a jake through the glass that had a beard that would swing when he walked. Look for the big old snow cone head as well.

Sounds like you had a 2 year old bird. Like a deers rack and body weight though, a turkey's features can vary allot and not seem to fit together sometimes. Spurs are usually a pretty consistent indicator though.

bcarver · April 30, 2007, 07:28 PM

Beards vary as much as weight.
I killed two birds with identical spurs. one with an eight and 1/4 inch ragged thick wavy beard and the second 9 1/2" long curved slender even beard.

April 28, 2007, 10:35 AM	#1
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Turkey question Hey I finally got a bird this morning. My question is, is this a jake or a 2nd year? 3/4" spurs, or just a hair under. 8.75" beard. Only weighed 17.5 lbs, before field dressing ("on the claw"). My guess is a 2-year old, but is it possible a jake can grow a beard out to over 8" already, since the spurs and weight were small? Anyway, longest shot I've made at a turkey, at 36.5-37 yards - didn't hit him very well - he flopped a LOT until I wrung his neck. Gonna try to keep my shots under 35 from now on. Happy to have some breast meat though; time for some oriental stir fry!

April 30, 2007, 07:28 PM	#5
bcarver Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Location: Jackson,Mississippi Posts: 838	beards Beards vary as much as weight. I killed two birds with identical spurs. one with an eight and 1/4 inch ragged thick wavy beard and the second 9 1/2" long curved slender even beard.

April 28, 2007, 12:34 PM	#2
indybrad Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 229	Jakes (1 yr olds) have spurs which are usually 1/2" or less and are generally very rounded. During the spring season, jakes will range from having no more than a bump for a spur to a better defined 1/2" long spur like the one shown in the photo. The 2-yr old gobbler has longer spurs (1/2" to 1") which are generally still straight and still very blunt on the ends. 3-yr. olds and older birds have the longest, sharpest spurs and they will also have some curve to them.

April 28, 2007, 01:01 PM	#3
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Perfect; thanks; yeah he was two - the spurs were kinda blunt.

April 30, 2007, 12:48 AM	#4
piercfh Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2006 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 183	When I look at turkeys in the field I usually just look for a strutting bird to determine if he's a long beard. Also they are allot bigger bodied, and will have a fuller fan. I dont think I have ever seen a jake through the glass that had a beard that would swing when he walked. Look for the big old snow cone head as well. Sounds like you had a 2 year old bird. Like a deers rack and body weight though, a turkey's features can vary allot and not seem to fit together sometimes. Spurs are usually a pretty consistent indicator though.