Can you shoot a Gobbler without a beard?

[benhuntin]

Male turkeys and turkeys with beards. I talked to a wildlife agent. And also called and talked to those that set the rules at WDFW and they both said male turkeys with or without beards are legal. And they are out there. Also in reference to birds gobbling. Hens will do a mock gobble to ward away toms when they are not ready to mate. Sounds like a poor jake gobble. I have witnessed it many times. So dont shoot birds because they gobble... Just sayin

Dont shoot birds that gobble?  Aren't they gobblers?  Gobblers=Legal

[benhuntin]

Sorry everyone,I am bored at work and think this is written stupid. Good luck with the turkeys.

[Jester052]

I read the WAC. It's states it VERY clearly. Male turkeys and any bird with a beard. Thanks for the reference Bob33

[benhuntin]

Regs say a gobbler has a middle toe greater than 4 inches.

[jackelope]

WAC 232-28-342 reads like this:

(b) SPRING SEASON

(i) LEGAL BIRD: Male turkeys and turkeys with visible beards only.

Male turkeys!!!! AND!!! turkeys with visible beards!!

[sneakyjake]

Think about the transport rules.  Must leave a feathered head attached.  Legs and beard don't mean anything. Now a hen I would probably take extra care to leave the beard attached.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Think about the transport rules.  Must leave a feathered head attached.  Legs and beard don't mean anything. Now a hen I would probably take extra care to leave the beard attached.

Very true to leave the beard attatached to a hen.

[kirkl]

I shot a jake once with no beard. He came in gobbling and all puffed up. His beard ended up being about a half inch and hidden in the feathers.

[PA BEN]

WAC 232-28-342 reads like this:

(b) SPRING SEASON

(i) LEGAL BIRD: Male turkeys and turkeys with visible beards only.

Male turkeys!!!! AND!!! turkeys with visible beards!!

Why can't they post this in the Turkey Regs. Then no confusion. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

It is in the regs  Turkeys with visible beards ONLY !  Look under Restrictions 

[benhuntin]

It is in the regs  Turkeys with visible beards ONLY !  Look under Restrictions 

Thats what it should say. But it also says gobblers.

[jackelope]

It is in the regs  Turkeys with visible beards ONLY !  Look under Restrictions 

Regs:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01698/wdfw01698.pdf

Gobblers and
Turkeys with visible
beards ONLY

[BOWHUNTER45]

O.K I forgot where I am  Turkey will visible beard would cover it all ! Since you can kill any turkey you want as long as it has a beard and you can see it ..Gobbler or hen 

[bearpaw]

 

We shoot mature gobblers and jakes every year that do not have visible beards. We have looked at so many birds it's like looking at men and women, at first glance we know what we are looking at by only seeing the head. I would not recommend that to most hunters since most hunters cannot tell the difference that easily.

If you see the bird gobble or see a definite beard you should be OK. 

Don't make a mistake and shoot a hen with a turned feather on her breast! Once hens start laying and sitting it's common to see a hen with a turned feather on her breast sticking outward. That looks a lot like a short beard sticking out on a jake.

There are a good number of hens already on nests this year, earlier than I've ever seen, so be careful.

FYI - I always carry binos while turkey hunting!

[Bob33]

WAC 232-28-342 reads like this:

(b) SPRING SEASON

(i) LEGAL BIRD: Male turkeys and turkeys with visible beards only.

Male turkeys!!!! AND!!! turkeys with visible beards!!

Why can't they post this in the Turkey Regs. Then no confusion. 

Regulations are a rephrasing of actual laws, and in some cases (such as this) the regulations can be more confusing, incomplete, and possibly even wrong.

You don't get cited for violating what is in the published regulations per se: you would only be cited for violating an RCW or WAC.

If in doubt, check the actual laws.