Jakes on accident...

[eggshell]

I have killed two or three jakes I believed were longbeards, but they were no accident. I killed the bird I intended to shoot. I identified a target that was legal and decided to shoot it and I never regretted it. I simply made the choice not to wait and see a longbeard and I was fine with my choice every single time. It was always a gobbling bird that came to the call and gave a good game. I have never apologized or felt guilty for shooting jakes. I don't target them and 90 % of the time will let them walk away. However, if it's late season and I'm tired and a jake works good I'll bust his head and feel fine about it. Now to quantify these remarks. I don't know my numbers, but I imagine I've killed over 175 birds and I have shot maybe 8-10 jakes and most of them in the early years of my 53 seasons. Yet, I may shoot one next year. I do not view jakes as a lesser prize, but I pass them because they are the future. Don't let peer pressure keep you from shooting a jake, if he satisfies your requirements in a hunt, shoot him in the beak.

[Gooserbat]

I'd say that I've unintentionally killed a few jakes but I didn't accidentally kill a turkey. 

[Brian Fahs]

If you head shoot hard gobbling turkeys without being able to see the beard you are gonna kill some Jake's by accident. I have learned this the hard way a few times.

[ChiefBubba]

I killed a Rio Jake this year by mistake. Due to a multitude of mistakes. The biggest was on me. Bubba

[ruination]

None, but I've passed 2 long beards this year thinking they might be jakes

[Dhamilton1]

Been hunting for 4 years now and killed my first bird ever this year in WV and he was a Jake. He had a funny gobble from a distance but when he got closer, he sounded like any other I've heard gobbling in the woods (maybe untrained ears still). He let out one last heart pounding gobble at about 50 yards and when his head popped out above the log he came in from behind, I didn't think twice. I was actually surprised when I grabbed him off the ground but still happy nonetheless. Cut off his short 3" beard, stubby almost none existent "spurs" and have his tail fan pinned to card board and boraxed in the garage.


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[ChesterCopperpot]

Been hunting for 4 years now and killed my first bird ever this year in WV and he was a Jake. He had a funny gobble from a distance but when he got closer, he sounded like any other I've heard gobbling in the woods (maybe untrained ears still). He let out one last heart pounding gobble at about 50 yards and when his head popped out above the log he came in from behind, I didn't think twice. I was actually surprised when I grabbed him off the ground but still happy nonetheless. Cut off his short 3" beard, stubby almost none existent "spurs" and have his tail fan pinned to card board and boraxed in the garage.


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Congrats! Sounds like a great hunt, and I'd about bet one you'll never forget. Be proud of him. Any bird that plays the game.


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[Tail Feathers]

Updating an old thread I see.

Well my count of accidental jakes has gone up by two or three.   

[squidd]

 Never on accident - bang bang dinner!!

[lalongbeard75]

Jakes for the most part in Louisiana have a distinctly different gobble than a mature Gobbler. There was a time when I'd have bet a thousand dollars I could tell the difference. In 2016 I was working a stubborn Gobbler  that went quiet, 10 min later here he comes hard gobbling looking for the hen? When I looked around the tree behind me I was surprised to see a Jake with no more than a 3" beard gobbling every other breath. I'd seen the first Gobbler I'd been working at 80 yards or so he had a beard like a rope so no question this wasn't him. I luckily didn't shoot this Jake but if he'd  been in some brush up to his chest I'd have sworn he was a gobbler. One of the super jakes I guess.

Now hunting up north or the Midwest it's not uncommon to hear a full gobble coming from a Jake. I don't know why that is but it's been my experience. If he's not strutting so I can see the full fan or his full wing patch or beard I don't shoot.

[Tommy Strutsalot]

Killed two by mistake.  Both running and gunning.  First one came in strutting through some thick stuff and i only had a profile and should have waited to see the full beard.

The second came running in hot mid morning - 30 seconds from the time i heard him til I shot him. I believed whole heartedly that the beard I saw was a mature longbeard.  Turned out to be 7" thick beard and a mostly full fan, but nubs for spurs.



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[High plains drifter]

I once killed a Jake that thought he was a Tom! 

[NYturkey]

I have killed a couple jakes over the years thinking they were a long beard. In the heat of the moment and when full visual is impossible things happen.


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[Fallturkey86]

I have killed a couple jakes over the years thinking they were a long beard. In the heat of the moment and when full visual is impossible things happen.


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I'm guilty as well.

[slicksbeagles1]

They all eat the same