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Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: Sundance on January 27, 2010, 10:07:36 AM


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Title: Spurs
Post by: Sundance on January 27, 2010, 10:07:36 AM
thanks
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: jackelope on January 27, 2010, 03:34:25 PM
your speculation is my speculation too.
 :dunno:
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: BrushChimp on January 27, 2010, 03:38:50 PM
Well, you're probably talking about 2 or 3 different sub-species in your post. All of my 5 or 6 Rios and Merriams taken in Washington have had fat, short spurs. Likely two year olds. I was also wondering why I hadn't seen very many birds with 1.5+ inch spurs.

Anyone have any pics of Washington gobblers with big spurs?
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on January 27, 2010, 03:49:16 PM
How about these hooks.  1 1/4" killed in Spokane Co.

(http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p245/rocker_dude77/IMG_1477.jpg)
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: NWBREW on January 27, 2010, 04:11:28 PM
Hey Spokaneslayer is that a Rio or a Miriam? I don't know if that makes a difference or not.
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on January 27, 2010, 04:12:32 PM
Merriam by county of kill.
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: NWBREW on January 27, 2010, 04:34:28 PM
I know  the rio's inhabit gmu's 133 and 136, that is the reason I asked. I have also noticed the rio's having more pronounced spurs on the older birds. I don't know if that is a reason or not.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on January 27, 2010, 04:38:53 PM
I don't know.  This one was killed in GMU 130.  Might be a hybrid.  I know the spurs were sharp.  One got caught in my cargo pocket.
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: turkeydancer on January 27, 2010, 06:05:26 PM
Here's the link to the NWTF State Chapter turkey records:
http://nwtf.ipower.com/turkey_registration.html

Scroll down ... I think you'll find that the state record spur lengths for the various subspecies is fairly impressive.  I know my 1st bird this year had 1 inch spur .... buddy a couple years back had 1-1/4 spurs and another buddy's 1-1/2".

Age, diet, rocky terrian, genetics, etc. will all play into it.
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: fishunt247 on January 27, 2010, 06:28:50 PM
I shot a central WA Merriam that had 1" and 1 1/8" spurs. They weren't sharp though, and likely a 5 year old. My dad shot a Rio in the blues that has 1 1/4" spurs, hooked and sharp. Both pictures are predigital, so I don't have them. And the spurs are at his house, not the same town I live in. But the steep, rocky ground would be me guess too.
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: Turkeyman on January 28, 2010, 05:51:05 AM
 I have killed easterns on west side with big sharp spurs. The rocky terrain is my guess on east side birds.
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: yelp on January 28, 2010, 08:35:35 PM
Some of the longest spurs come from the Oscellated turkey in Guatemala..
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: NWBREW on January 28, 2010, 09:07:35 PM
Dang yelp, that's a fine looking turkey. Those spurs look dangerous
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on January 28, 2010, 09:17:22 PM
 :yike:
Title: Re: Eastern Spurs V.S. Western Spurs
Post by: Hangfire on January 29, 2010, 07:02:53 AM
If I was to make a guess, I would not think that soil composition is responsible for sharp spurs in eastern Washington.  I think it takes longer to develop the sharp pointed spurs. I look at the birds I have shot and the spur length and sharpness seems to respond  to age.  The  shorter spurs do not look worn.  The best spurs I have gotten on a bird were 1 1/4 on one side and 1 5/16 on the other. This was a very old bird as judged by size and beard. They don't seem to me to develop the pointed spurs until 1 inch long, genetics?
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