Determining the age of a wild turkey can be challenging but is an important skill for hunters to develop. An older, mature tom turkey is considered more of a trophy given its impressive features and elusive nature. While there are no foolproof methods, there are several techniques hunters can use to make an educated guess on the age of a turkey based on physical characteristics and behavior.
Look at the Spurs
One of the most common ways to estimate the age of a tom turkey is to examine the length and shape of its spurs. The spurs are the sharp, bony protrusions that extend from the legs of male turkeys. As a tom turkey ages, its spurs will gradually elongate each year.
Here are some general spur length guidelines for aging a tom:
-
Jakes (juvenile males under 1 year old) Spurs less than 0,5 inches long, May be small rounded buttons
-
2 years old Spurs around 1 inch long Straight and blunt,
-
3 years old Spurs 1 to 125 inches long with a slight downward curve,
-
4+ years old: Spurs over 1.25 inches long and very curved/hooked. Some long spurs up to 2 inches indicate a mature tom 5+ years old.
However, keep in mind there can be variability between individual turkeys based on genetics, diet, and habitat. Rarely, some adult toms may have no spurs at all. The sharpness, texture, and coloration of the spurs can also indicate relative age.
Examine the Feathers
The feathers of a turkey can provide clues about its age as well. Look at the tips of the tail feathers and the edges of the primary wing feathers. Older adult toms will have very worn, ragged feather edges from years of strutting and fanning. Young jakes will have fresh, crisp feather edges.
Also look for barring patterns on the primary wing feathers. Juvenile males will have distinct white barring across these feathers, while adult feathers are more solidly colored. The tail fan shape is also telling – jakes have uneven, “jagged” fans while adult tails are fuller and more evenly fanned.
Consider the Beard Length
A turkey’s beard (the long, hair-like plumage projecting from its chest) also continues growing throughout its life. Longer beards generally indicate an older bird. Here are some benchmarks:
- Jakes: Beards less than 7 inches
- 2 years old: Beards 7 to 10 inches
- 3+ years old: Beards over 10 inches, average 10 to 12 inches
However, beard length is an inexact science. Beards over 12 inches are rare since the longest feathers break off over time. Multiple beards are common but unrelated to age.
Observe Behavior
Mature toms behave differently than young jakes, particularly during spring mating season. Dominant old toms are more likely to gobble first and most frequently in the mornings. They are bossy towards other males and monopolize hen turkeys. Large, confident toms will aggressively approach decoys.
In contrast, jakes and subordinate young males often hang back from dominant males and may only join hens once breeding is finished. Jakes gobble sporadically and tentatively approach decoys.
Observing this social behavior and mating hierarchy can provide additional clues to the relative age of a turkey.
Consider the Time of Year
When evaluating a turkey’s age based on physical features, it is important to consider the timing. For example, a juvenile male shot in fall will have small buttons for spurs and a short beard, but those features will be much more developed by the next spring mating season.
Hunters who harvest a bird in early spring should account for continued growth. A “jake” size spur in March may indicate a 2-year old tom by May. Feathers will also become more worn as spring progresses.
Weigh All the Evidence
No single factor can conclusively identify the age of a wild turkey. Hunters should weigh all the available evidence together – spur length, feather condition, beard length, behavior, and season timing.
While the characteristics provide clues, there is too much individual variation to know with 100% certainty. But hunters skilled in aging can make high-probability guesses to estimate whether a turkey is a young jake, mature adult, or old patriarch. With observation and experience, your aging accuracy will improve over time.
Proper game management and conservation depends on hunters selectively harvesting turkeys of different ages. Learning these aging techniques will make you a more knowledgeable outdoorsman and help you gain a greater appreciation of your quarry. So study your bird, enjoy the challenge, and revel in the thrill of pursuing a wily old tom.
Frequency of Entities:
spurs: 11
feathers: 5
beard: 7
behavior: 4
jakes: 7
years old: 6
mature: 3
How to Age a Turkey by Spur Length : Ask Dr. Tom
What is the current information on accurately aging a Turkey?
– Mark Kanitz Most turkey hunters understand that gobblers can be accurately separated into juvenile and adult age classes by examining the primary wing feathers and the shape of the tail fan.
How do you tell the age of a wild turkey?
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife WILD TURKEY AGING AND SEXING GUIDE The age of a wild turkey can be determined by looking at its wing and tail feathers. WING FEATHERS Place the wing in a fanned position and find the outermost wing feather.
How do you know if a Turkey is male or juvenile?
Juvenile breast feathers are all buff- tipped, but have rounded tips and are more slender than adult breast feathers. In determining the sex of a juvenile turkey, it is best to examine feathers on the lower two-thirds of the breast for positive identification. MALE – Breast feathers are black-tipped.
How do you determine the sex of a wild turkey?
The sex of wild turkeys should be determined by looking at the breast feathers. BREAST FEATHERS Adult turkey breast feathers are square-tipped with females having brown- or buff-tipped feathers and males having black-tipped feathers. This dif- ference is obvious on adult turkeys, but juvenile birds require a closer look.