As spring turkey season approaches, a common question among hunters is whether it is legal and ethical to harvest a jake (young male) turkey. Regulations and opinions vary on jake shooting, so let’s break it down.
What is a Jake Turkey?
A jake is a young male wild turkey under one year of age. Jakes are sexually mature but too young to compete with older, dominant gobblers for breeding rights.
Characteristics of jakes
- Smaller overall size, usually under 18 pounds
- Short beard, typically 4 inches or less
- Small spurs on legs, usually blunt or rounded
- Less vibrant red, white and blue colors on head
- Higher pitched gobbles compared to mature toms
Jakes make up a sizeable portion of the male turkey population, so hunters frequently encounter them in the spring
Is It Legal to Shoot a Jake?
Jake legality varies by state. Here are some general guidelines:
- Most states allow jake harvest but with restrictions. Jake shooting may be limited to youth hunters or certain dates.
- Some states prohibit jake harvest completely during spring seasons.
- Daily bag limits may differentiate jakes from adult gobblers.
- Always consult regulations as jake rules can change annually.
When in doubt, verify jake regulations in your state before hunting. Shooting an illegal jake can lead to fines or loss of hunting privileges.
Ethics and Public Opinion on Jake Shooting
While jake shooting is legal in many states, opinions differ on whether it is ethical. Some considerations:
Arguments Supporting Jake Harvest:
- Jakes are abundant and unlikely to breed due to dominance by older gobblers.
- Taking jakes has minimal impact on overall turkey populations.
- Provides hunting opportunity for youth and inexperts.
Arguments Against Jake Shooting:
- Preserves challenging hunting for mature toms.
- Allows more jakes to reach adulthood and breed in future years.
- Gives young hunters chance to pass up shots and wait for older birds.
Overall, public opinion seems split on jake shooting. Some argue it should be limited to youth or mentor hunts. In the end, it is a personal choice hunters must weigh given their state’s regulations.
Tips for Identifying Jakes
Since jakes can be mistaken for mature gobblers, hunters should learn to identify them by sight and sound:
- Short beard, usually under 4 inches
- Lack of sharp spurs on legs
- Smaller overall body size
- Duller colors on head and feathers
- Higher pitched gobbles and yelps
Take time to study jake characteristics before a shot opportunity arises. Misidentification can lead to accidentally — and illegally — shooting hens or mature gobblers.
Calling in and Harvesting Jakes
Jakes are often eager and vocal birds, making them responsive to calling:
- Use hen yelps, clucks and purrs to elicit responses. Avoid aggressive gobbler calls.
- Call softly and infrequently to mimic a timid hen and appeal to jakes.
- Set up in areas jakes are known to frequent, like fields or open woods.
- Use lifelike jake decoys to draw interest and jealousy.
- Be ready for jakes to close the distance quickly compared to mature toms.
If you opt to shoot a legal jake, take care to make ethical shots and retrieve the bird promptly. Focus on fine dining and memories rather than size of spurs and beard length.
Jake harvesting regulations, ethics and hunter opinions vary. Understanding your state’s laws is paramount. Whether passing on jakes or taking legal ones, the choice depends on a hunter’s goals and values. One thing is certain – jakes provide exciting spring hunting opportunities across turkey range.
Frequency of Entities:
jake: 27
gobbler: 8
tom: 3
hen: 2
youth: 3
breed: 3
Bethge: Let Jakes Walk
“If he wants to act like a big turkey, then he can die like a big turkey.”
My New England turkey hunting buddies might not have invented the phrase, but they certainly used it each time they came back to camp with a jake—which, actually, has not been all that often. This season, though—the year of COVID-19—there will be no slack provided. We’re making triply sure of our targets. Whether he works like a big bird or not, we’re laying off the jakes!
Renowned turkey biologist Michael Chamberlain first sounded the alarm for me a month or so ago when southern seasons were opening.
“With hunters being unable to travel, local populations of wild turkeys are bearing more hunting pressure, and increased harvest,” says Chamberlain. “We know from previous research that more hunter effort (time spent afield) results in more turkeys being harvested. For example, in Georgia, hunter effort on state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) has increased 47% compared to last season, and similar trends are being observed in Mississippi. Statewide harvest in Georgia is 26% greater than in 2019 at this point in the season, and is 43% higher on public lands – despite no appreciable increases in production within the past few years. In Tennessee, statewide harvest is currently 50 percent higher than at this same point last season. There is potential that the increased pressure and harvest could negatively impact our local populations in many areas, particularly those witnessing long-term declines.
“Excessive removal of males prior to and during breeding could negatively impact reproduction, as could greater disturbance to females who are laying and incubating. From a hunter perspective, increased hunting activity has potential to increase interactions amongst hunters, which could impact hunter satisfaction. We are going to have to be more patient and tolerant of each other afield during these difficult times.”
Bottom line? We’re amid a huge conundrum. As much as we would like more hunters afield for the sake of our sport, the number of hunters who might be afield during this turkey season (and possibly deer season this fall) may actually hurt the resource for the foreseeable future by taking too much game.
The answer? It is not an easy one. However, now is precisely the right time to be your own game biologist. If you live and hunt in an area in which turkey (or deer) numbers are down—and you’re well-schooled about that—consider taking only what you need. Practice tag relief.
Yes, jakes are legal in many places, but let them walk now more than ever. —GB
Would You Shoot A Jake? / Shooting a Jake for the meat.
FAQ
Should you shoot a Jake turkey?
Are jakes considered gobblers?
Can you eat a Jake turkey?
Can you shoot a Jake turkey in Mississippi?
Are Jake turkeys a good hunter?
Jake turkeys are an interesting and often overlooked part of the turkey hunting world. By understanding their characteristics and behavior, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to include them in your hunting plans. Happy hunting!
What is a Jake Turkey?
A jake turkey is a young male wild turkey under two years old. They’re essentially the teenage boys of the turkey world, full of energy and enthusiasm, but still lacking the experience and maturity of their older counterparts Identifying a jake turkey can be tricky, especially for novice hunters. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
What is the difference between a Jake & a tom turkey?
Jakes typically have shorter beards that range from 3-6 inches in length while mature Tom turkeys have longer beards that can reach up to 12 inches in length, or even longer! The coloration of the beards can also vary; Jakes usually have lighter-colored feathers compared to Toms which are usually darker or reddish brown.
What is the difference between a Jake & a Tom?
While Jakes and Toms are both male birds, their ages separate the two. Jakes are one-year-old turkeys and Toms are at least two years old. It’s important to know the difference, as in some states, you can’t shoot Jakes legally. Fortunately, there are a few key identifiers to help you differentiate the two.