Passing on 2 year Turkey?

[fadetoblack188]

When you guys Turkey hunting will you try and pass on a Turkey you believe to be 2 years old and wait and pray at 3 plus Turkey comes around?

I just feel Turkey hunting isn't easy, and take that first legal bird that comes in.

What are your thought?

[catman529]

No, it's turkey hunting, not deer hunting


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[fadetoblack188]

That's why I ask. I do it with deer hunting. But do guys do it with Turkey to?  I mean you can't judge Spur length from 35 yards away lol

[Dazzler]

Negative.  First legal bird.  First legal deer.

[honker22]

I wasn't too far from blasting a 1 year old turkey this year, since the season was so bad... but no, I've never once looked at spurs before I shot. 

[silvestris]

I have been turkey hunting for 48 years and while I appreciate the old ones, I will take a two year old and say to myself "Goodun".  Now if I am engaged with a particular gobbler, I will pass on a perceived two year old in the process.  I don't hardly find myself in that situation anymore due to the massive increase in the numbers seeking the birds and the methods employed by the masses.  Ban reaping and decoys.

[bigriverbum]

if i'm in need of meat i'll take anything. jakes definitely eat better

if i've had close calls with an "experienced" bird i will give it a go at him for a while

deer hunting? brown it's down. i think i had 7 deer tags last year.

[trkehunr93]

The myth of a two year old vs. a three year old is exactly that a myth, beard/spur length have nothing to do with it as some "two year olds" had 1 1/2" spurs and some "three year old" turkeys can have 3/4" spurs.  A jake is pretty obvious (short, thin beard), especially if they strut and you can see the fan.  Although some mature birds can have short beards due to a variety of issues.  If you want a mature bird, shoot one that has a beard at least 7-8" or longer.   

[MISSISSIPPI Double beard]

If a gobbler with at least a 6 inch beard comes within range of me I'm shooting. Jakes are not legal here.

[hootgobbleyelpgobble]

A full fan gets the hammer regardless of beard or spur length for me.

[fallhnt]

I shoot anything legal.

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[Yoteduster]

Yep it has a full fan he's fair game

[GobbleGitr]

I cringed when I saw the thread but love the responses.  I have listened to a couple windbags talk about how they only shoot 3 year olds...who doesn't like curved hooks...but unless you are measuring the bills on your mallards and spurs on your pheasants, you can leave trophy hunting to other pursuits.  Agree that a legal full fan is a great trophy, and all turkeys eat good depending on legality and season.

[Bedge7767]

A full fan gets the hammer regardless of beard or spur length for me.

X2

[howl]

Sometimes I'll suspect it's a little older jake. If they don't show a full fan they get a pass. I don't go by age nor measurements. I go by maturity and difficulty. A full fledged 2yo is usually plenty difficult for me.