Big Toms

[turkeydancer]

Spur lenghth is usually the way most peope judge turkeys age ... but as mentioned terrain can effect the spur length ... get a bird living in rocky terrain and the spurs can really be worn down. 

As far as tracks, if under 3-1/2" it's a jake and over 3-1/2" probably at least a 2 year old.

Beards can break off sometimes due to cold freezing weather, insects or mites, etc.

Easiest way to gage whether you're getting a mature tom versus a jake, as already stated" is the length of his tail feathers .... even shaped fan, tom ... 4 longer center feathers, jake.

Nothing wrong with harvesting a jake as your first bird ... you can get more than one tag!
 

Nothing wrong with harvesting a jake

[MtnMuley]

I usually field age a bird by his fan.  Also, by the spurs if I get the chance to get good glass on them, which isn't often.

[Fishnfowler]

If you have a chance at a bunch of toms at once, but didn't have the opportunity to get acquainted with them in advance, then shoot the meanest.  I have about 50-150 turkeys in my yard every day and know all the big boys.  They act differently once the season comes and they get busted once.  That said, my biggest turkey ever was one I watched for weeks, the next biggest I've seen, my 12 y/o daughter shot all by its lonesome at the end of the season.

[buckcanyonlodge]

Big Spurs = big full fan  Late May bird

[Hangfire]

There is a formula for scoring turkeys. I don't know exactly what it is other than it is a combination of weight, beard length and spur length.  It appears to be just that, a combination of weight, beard and spurs that gives the best idea on age.