When I asked the camo-clad hunter if he had any luck, he proudly said, “I got a good 7-year-old bird.” He gave me a contemptuous look when I asked how he determined the bird’s age, but then he picked up the gobbler and pushed its legs in my direction so I could look at a nice pair of spurs. “Sharp as a tack” was all he said.
Spur length is generally thought to be a fairly reliable indicator of a gobbler’s age, but that is only true up until the bird reaches around three years of age. Truthfully, aging a mature gobbler is a difficult task. A young gobbler, also known as a “jake,” can be distinguished from older gobblers more easily thanks to its uneven tail fan, short beard, and spurs that are less than half an inch long. Two-year-old gobblers are probably harvested at a higher rate than any other. This is frequently because, even though they are adept at gobbling and enjoy hearing themselves do it, they are still unaware that not all yelps originate from turkey hens. The 2-year-old is frequently enticed by the mouth call’s short cuts or the charming tone of a well-chalked box. Most of these young gobblers will have beards about nine inches long and somewhat blunt spurs that are less than an inch long.
Three-year-old birds typically have a beard around 10 inches long and pointed spurs of an inch or more. I hope you noticed the word “typically. In actuality, I have seen an adult turkey that is mature and has a 4-inch beard as well as one that has no beard at all. I witnessed a 4-year-old known age bird with 5/8-inch spurs. I have seen turkeys with multiple spurs on each leg and harvested many mature gobblers with either no spurs or one spur.
Whenever dealing with wildlife, be very careful about using the words “never” or “always. I had the good fortune to help with a long-term study on turkeys that was being done in southern Mississippi’s Tallahala Wildlife Management Area. When we were trapping turkeys, in addition to the vast amounts of data that were collected for the study, we also noticed a few noteworthy things. The fact that mature adult turkeys that were trapped and tagged were later recaptured and discovered to have shorter spurs intrigued me. In addition, one bird captured and tagged as a juvenile was harvested by a hunter the next year. The bird was younger than two years old, but it had a pair of pointed spurs that were one 5-inches long!.
Therefore, once an adult turkey reaches the age of three, it becomes much more difficult to determine its exact age, even though factors like body size, beard, and spur length can usually be used to identify birds as juveniles. Recognize that it doesn’t really matter how old a wise old limb hanger was the next time you get the opportunity to take one. Remember the words an old turkey hunter once told me: “They’re all good ones. ”.
Joel D. Glover is a Certified Wildlife Biologist with the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
Ah, the majestic turkey beard, a symbol of experience and wisdom in the wild turkey world. But how do you translate beard length into actual turkey age? It’s not as simple as counting rings on a tree, but fear not, fellow turkey enthusiasts, for we’ve got the answers you seek!
The Beard Length-Age Relationship:
While not an exact science, turkey beards do offer clues about a bird’s age. Here’s a general guide to help you decipher the secrets of the beard:
- 0″ to 4″ Beard: This indicates a young turkey, likely less than a year old. Their beards are just starting to grow and are typically amber in color.
- 4″ to 5″ Beard: A turkey sporting a beard in this range is probably around 1 year old. The amber color remains prominent.
- 8″ to 10″ Beard: Now we’re talking about a seasoned turkey, likely 2 years old. The beard becomes noticeably longer and may start to show signs of wear and tear, with some black tips emerging.
- 10″ Plus Beard: Behold, a veteran of the turkey woods! A beard exceeding 10 inches often signifies a turkey 3 years or older. These beards are typically black, reflecting years of experience and battles fought.
Beyond Beard Length:
It’s important to remember that beard length is just one piece of the age puzzle Other factors like tip color, overall condition, and general appearance can also provide valuable clues
- Tip Color: As mentioned earlier, younger turkeys have amber-colored beard tips, while older turkeys tend to have black tips. However, this isn’t always a definitive indicator, as some younger turkeys may have black tips due to genetics or environmental factors.
- Beard Condition: A worn and frayed beard suggests a turkey that has been through the wringer, likely indicating an older bird. Conversely, a pristine beard might point to a younger turkey.
- Overall Appearance: A turkey’s overall size, plumage, and behavior can also offer clues about its age. For instance, a large, healthy-looking turkey with a long beard is likely an older bird.
Remember:
While these guidelines provide a helpful framework, accurately determining a turkey’s age solely based on its beard is challenging. Combining beard length with other factors and relying on your experience and observation skills will give you the best chance of making an informed guess
Happy Turkey Hunting!
Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, go forth and observe those turkey beards with a discerning eye. Remember, the thrill of the hunt lies not just in the harvest, but also in the fascinating stories etched into the beards of these magnificent creatures.
10 Year Old with a 10 Inch Beard
FAQ
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