Although figuring out a turkey’s age in the field can be challenging, it’s a necessary ability for any hunter who wishes to take on older birds. With the help of this guide, you will be able to determine a turkey’s age from its physical attributes with accuracy.
Key Indicators of Age:
- Spurs: The length of a gobbler’s spurs is one of the most reliable indicators of age. Jakes (juvenile males) have spurs that are less than half an inch long, while 2-year-old gobblers have spurs that are slightly less than an inch long. As turkeys age, their spurs continue to grow, with 3-year-old gobblers typically having spurs that are at least 1 ¼ inches long. In some cases, spurs can reach lengths of over 2 inches, indicating a very mature bird.
- Beard: The length of a turkey’s beard can also be used to estimate its age. Jakes typically have beards that are less than 7 inches long, while 2-year-old gobblers have beards between 7 and 10 inches long. As turkeys age, their beards may grow longer, but they rarely exceed 12 or 13 inches due to wear and tear.
- Tail and Wing Feathers: The condition of a turkey’s tail and wing feathers can also provide clues about its age. Younger turkeys have sharp, pointed feathers, while older turkeys have feathers that are worn and ragged from years of strutting.
Additional Considerations:
- Body Size: While not as reliable as spurs or beards, body size can also be a factor in age estimation. Jakes are typically smaller than adult gobblers, and older gobblers may be larger than younger ones.
- Behavior: The behavior of a turkey can also provide some clues about its age. Younger turkeys are often more skittish and less vocal than older turkeys.
Age Estimation Guidelines:
Based on its physical attributes, a turkey’s age can be roughly determined using the following general guidelines:
- Jakes: Spurs less than ½ inch, beard less than 7 inches, sharp tail and wing feathers.
- 2-Year-Olds: Spurs slightly less than 1 inch, beard between 7 and 10 inches, sharp tail and wing feathers.
- 3-Year-Olds and Older: Spurs at least 1 ¼ inches, beard up to 12 or 13 inches, worn tail and wing feathers.
By carefully observing a turkey’s physical characteristics, you can make an educated guess about its age. This information can be helpful in deciding whether or not to harvest the bird, as well as in managing turkey populations. Remember, these are just general guidelines, and there will always be some variation among individual turkeys.
Additional Resources:
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources: Wild Turkey Aging and Sexing Guide: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/wildlife/hunting-trapping/wild%2520turkey%2520aging%2520and%2520sexing%2520guide.pdf
- Carolina Sportsman: Judge a Gobbler’s Age in the Field: https://www.carolinasportsman.com/hunting/turkey-hunting/judge-a-gobblers-age-in-the-field/
Happy Hunting!
For the Love of Turkey Spurs
Aging gobblers by spur length isnt an exact science. Often its an estimate.
The sharpness and curve of the spur can give you an approximate read on the birds age though.
Rarely will gobblers have no spurs, and some subspecies show different characteristics based on the terrain they walk.
Spurs grow longer with each passing year. Color variations are many, from pearl to black.
Some atypical gobblers even have double-spurs.
A spur might be longer on one leg. They might match. One might be missing. Its all good for us turkey hunters who love to study the greatest game bird on the planet.
Lets take a look at some spurs in this photo blog, and talk a bit about aging gobblers. Title: Young Gobbler:
A juvenile male turkey, often called a “jake,” tends to have a spur less than a half-inch long.
An early-hatch young spring gobbler might have one like the spur pictured here. After an amazing hunt, I shot this turkey without regretting because it had a thundering man-sized gobble and answered my calls. The fried nuggets back at camp were delicious.
A late-hatch jake might just have a small rounded spur thats still developing, barely a quarter-inch.
Full disclosure: Ive killed a few full-fan, longbearded Merriams with half-inch spurs this blunt.
Bonus Read: When You Should Shoot a Jake
(Steve Hickoff photo) Title: Two-Year-Old:
The 2-year-old gobbler was a jake last year, and is ready to rumble this spring.
Many birds this age are taken each season. They may or may not be the dominant tom in a flock, they usually respond well to calls, and sometimes they will break off and steal in response to your soft yells.
Spurs are straight, blunt, an inch long or so, without the slight curve a 3-year-olds might have.
Turkey camp might have a conversation about this one because of the spur’s slight bend. You might also see this kind of spur on a gobbler you kill while fall turkey hunting.
Timing, as turkey season goes, is everything with spur measurements.
(Steve Hickoff photo) Title: Three-Year-Old:
These spurs were worn by an Osceola longbeard Hunter Sullivan shot last year in our Florida turkey camp.
Wed hunted this hard-gobbling turkey in the morning, coming close on a couple of occasions. Sullivan pulled the trigger later that afternoon after resting the spot for a few hours and returning to call the longbeard straight in.
Three-year-old gobblers have a slightly curved, pointed look like these. Thats one fine bird.
(Steve Hickoff photo) Title: Old Gobblers:
Gobblers over 3-years-old have sharp, curved daggers like this one.
My longtime hunting bud Mike Jordan killed it in Oklahoma. A bunch of jakes mobbed the decoy, eyeing it up and down. Jordan waited, watched, and soon this old turkey came running in, lagging behind the rest of the juveniles.
He was an old warrior, this bird. The crow-black color of these spurs is really cool, too.
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How to Age A Turkey By Its Spurs | Cabela’s Turkey Roost
FAQ
How old is a turkey with a 10 inch beard?
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Beard Length
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Tip Color
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Age
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0″ to 4″
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Amber
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Younger than 1 year
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4″ to 5″
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Amber
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1 year
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8″ to 10″
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Amber
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2 years
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10″ plus
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Black
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3 years or older
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How can you tell if a gobbler is mature?
How long should you age a turkey?
How do you age a turkey by fan?
How long does it take to age a Turkey?
Beef is aged for 2 weeks for example. You can also age the turkey in a brine mixture (salt + water) to really enhance the moisture and flavor once cooked. Turkey is a lean meat and really benefits from this process. Allowing the bird to rest allows rigor mortis to pass, which in refrigerated birds may take several days.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
How long should you age a Turkey before cooking?
I recommend aging a turkey for three to six days before cooking. Unlike domestic animals, wild ones have that rich, variable flavor, because they are often older at death, exercise freely and enjoy a mixed diet. Do Only tom turkeys have beards?
What is the current information on accurately aging a Turkey?
– Mark Kanitz Most turkey hunters understand that gobblers can be accurately separated into juvenile and adult age classes by examining the primary wing feathers and the shape of the tail fan.