Turkey season has came to an end

[1963beretta]

1-1/4" spurs is no 3 year old, definitely older than that, most likely closer to 5 but at least a 4 year old. Most 3 year old's will have around a 1" spur.

Really? The turkey I shot was a brute with 1.5" spurs. I figured he was about 4-5. Based on your estimate, you think older?

 

[1duckslayer]

I've always understood that a 2yo tom has under an inch spurs, usually around 3/4" and blunt maybe a slight sharp spot, 3yo's have an inch and come to a sharp point then they start to put on some length and start to get razer sharp. The old boy and I killed a double last Friday, mine had matching 1-1/2" spurs my dads had 1 1-1/2" and the other had been previously broke and started to grow again and was 1-1/8". I pm'd Adrian as I know he would have a better idea of the birds age, I estimated 5 yo but he figures they are 6yo's and I don't doubt it and if anyone should know it would be him. Any bird with 1-1/4" spurs is def at least 4yo

 

[Adrian J Hare]

The wild turkey has an average life span of 5 years old. you are right - 2 year old birds are normally no more then 3/4 of an inch. 3 year old are from 7/8- 1 inch. 4 year olds are in the 1 1/8 - 1 1/4. 5 year old around 1 3/8 - 1 1/2 and then larger that we do not commonly see. my story to back this also is that years back my wife shot a gobbler with a tag that had 1 3/8 spurs. The tag was reported and the feed back was the bird travelled 50 KM from where it was released as a jake and the age was 5 years old.

1duck Congrats ! they are real nice spurs and very uncommon to most .

 

[Adrian J Hare]

So this spring I got a turkey, his beard was 9-1/2" and he had matching 1-1/4" spurs (measured along the curve with a seamstresses measuring tape). How old would you say he was?

4 year old

 

[Cintax]

4 year old

That's what I figured. Thanks!

 

[1963beretta]

Here are the spurs from my opening day tom. Cant tell from this photo, but both spurs were equal length. As mentioned in the turkey thread, the bird was abnormally heavier then expected. Oddly enough, it had a short 8.5" beard. So you guys think its possible this was a 5-6 year old bird?

 

[Santoneski]

is it worth it to try and get another bird towards the end of the season or are they all done breeding?

 

[Adrian J Hare]

Here are the spurs from my opening day tom. Cant tell from this photo, but both spurs were equal length. As mentioned in the turkey thread, the bird was abnormally heavier then expected. Oddly enough, it had a short 8.5" beard. So you guys think its possible this was a 5-6 year old bird?

easy 5 close to 6 I would say Good spurs...

 

[Adrian J Hare]

is it worth it to try and get another bird towards the end of the season or are they all done breeding?

Some of the best hunting is at the end. Ive seen gobblers breading into August...

 

[1963beretta]

easy 5 close to 6 I would say Good spurs...

Interesting. I wouldnt have thought!