Spring Gobbler

[yelp]

So my first bird had 9.5" beard, however the spurs were nubs.  My second bird had a 1.5" -2" beard, full fan (no jake feathers) and nubs for spurs.  Third bird was definitely a jake, but it to had a 2-3" beard and nubs for spurs. 

Do the spurs wear down in rocky areas?  Will beard hairs break if they freeze? 

Yes to both ?'s.  Spurs are better indicators of age versus beard length.  Deep snows can create ice balls on beards and they will break off and grow back. 

[kevinlisa06]

Yep definetely got the turkey bird addiction goin on and it has started a lil early this year. Cant wait got to get the 20 ga dialed in for me if I am lucky enuff to be able to squeeze the trigger this year. The kid and the fiance' get first crack at em again. Thinkin Im going to get a box of hevi13 7shot to try out n pattern this year for mr tom.

[yelp]

my only question for yelp would be why did my tom this winter have a 10" beard and no spurs? It had a full tom fan but literally no spurs, is this a genetic thing or did he eat out of a garden where someone used miraclegrow?

I would say it was genetic more than anything.  Some turkeys have been known to grow two spurs per leg.   

[WCTaxidermy]

my only question for yelp would be why did my tom this winter have a 10" beard and no spurs? It had a full tom fan but literally no spurs, is this a genetic thing or did he eat out of a garden where someone used miraclegrow?

So my first bird had 9.5" beard, however the spurs were nubs.  My second bird had a 1.5" -2" beard, full fan (no jake feathers) and nubs for spurs.  Third bird was definitely a jake, but it to had a 2-3" beard and nubs for spurs. 

Do the spurs wear down in rocky areas?  Will beard hairs break if they freeze? 

The Merriam species generally have very small spurs most often referred to as nubs.  Some Rio's have the same thing.  Most the turkeys that I got in last year all had very small spurs if not nubs.  Over the years I think the biggest spur I got in was just over an inch and that was on an Eastern.  I did do some research on it and it has to do with the area and species of the turkey.  Can't wait for the season to open.  John       

[br8kitoff]

Nice birds....regarding the use of mechanical broadheads....I looked and couldn't find, however hunting big game since 89 archery...they are illegal, for big game.   Like I said I looked in the Turkey regs and couldn't find any restrictions  but I do not hunt archery for birds.  I would look into that...not trying to be Mr negative...just sayin

[Gobble Doc]

I've wondered about the advantages of mechanical broadheads.  I'm not a bow hunter but my son has really gotten into it so I'm trying to stay up best I can.  Since he is planning on using a broadhead I've been supportive of that but I'm still curious if the mechanical versions fly straighter and have other advantages.