What do you think ...

[Old Gobbler]

Last figures we have is approximately 700 +/- turkeys are harvested on Florida state public WMA's half are hybrids or easterns ..some states have a beard length rule implemented ...some states like Florida have a deer antler point minimum for deer , but no requirement for turkeys

Let me know

[Dtrkyman]

I don't personally shoot Jakes, but not sure it makes much difference in the grand scheme of things?

I guess you could look at Mississippi to see when it was implemented and what the result was, though there are likely too many factors to know if it was the primary reason you had more gobblers.

I am neither for or against it.

Maybe let youth hunters harvest jakes?

It is a can of worms for sure!

[guesswho]

I think there should be a minimum beard length or spur length, with the exception of youth weekend.    I'm not sure what I'd set the minimums at, but probably around 7" beard or a 3/4" spur.   Meet either one of those and you are pretty sure you have at least a gobbler into his second spring

[joey46]

Where'd the 700 figure come from.  Until Florida implements actual tag and report for turkey any figure given is a wild  guess.  Which noted biologist gave the hybrid/eastern figure?  The number of WMAs with actual check stations is few and dwindling.  All in all a pretty lame topic.
7" beard 3/4" spurs???  Seriously!  These birds aren't catch and release.  Shoot one, count it in your yearly bag limit,  consume it, be tickled. 

[guesswho]

Yes, seriously.   No mention of catch and release? 

[joey46]

Yes, seriously.   No mention of catch and release?

What happens with the flopper with the 6 1/2" beard?  Coyote feed?  The number of non qualifying birds left to rot or secretly breasted and consumed in states such as MS is imo astronomical.  Limit 2 birds.  One or both a jake.  So what. 

[bigriverbum]

Yes, seriously.   No mention of catch and release?

What happens with the flopper with the 6 1/2" beard?  Coyote feed?

now that's the ultimate turkey hunter. one who can definitively measure the birds beard and spur before pulling the trigger 

[guesswho]

now that's the ultimate turkey hunter. one who can definitively measure the birds beard and spur before pulling the trigger

Oh boy, bowing out now. 

[ol bob]

A good many can't measure a spur holding it in here hand, sure can't guess it at 40 yards.

[Howie g]

There's no doubt in my mind without the jake law in ms, we would be way worse off then we are . They get killed down to the jakes annually !
I'm all for a kid getting one or two to start off there hunting career . I let my 7 year old get one last spring . But now he knows it's long beards only .  I'm all for all state implementing it .

[guesswho]

A good many can't measure a spur holding it in here hand, sure can't guess it at 40 yards.

I understand that.   My thinking (common sense) is trying to find basic guidelines that would protect gobblers in their first spring.   I would hope that the GW's would understand (common sense) the concept, and let a 6 1/2" beard and 5/8" spurred go.   Like the interstate speed limit of 65,  technically you could be ticketed at 66, but I'm betting thats rare.     

And if that qualifies me as the Ultimate Turkey Hunter, then that's another title I can live with.

[Turkeyman]

IMO beard length or spur length restrictions would be ridiculous. If you could instantaneously question the average successful turkey hunter he would have no idea what he just killed. Back when I killed anything a few were jakes with 6.5" beards or so...I've gotten a number of adults with lesser beards. I've killed a number of birds that never fanned out giving me a look. Spur length...heck I doubt if I saw the spurs on 10% or 20% of the birds I've killed. Body size? I killed a good Rio in OK that only weighed 12.5#. So about the only other thing you have to look at is the covert wing feathers depicting an adult bird from a jake, and most guys don't know how to check the coverts.

[MISSISSIPPI Double beard]

6 inch beard or full fan. That's how it is in Miss. I don't have a problem with it. If I had to look at spurs before I shoot I would be in trouble.

[Gooserbat]

I personally have no problem with a no Jake's rule with the exception of let a youth hunter take a Jake.  Given a little experience after a few Jake's under their belts, the kids will want to take a longbeard as well.

[Dtrkyman]

Beard length maybe, spur length not a chance!!!

If a scumbag would leave a bird rot he's likely up to no good anyway!


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