Turkey question

[Bhfs300]

Not a turkey hunter but on vacation this guy walked buy and by the time I got my camera out he was almost gone. By the beard how would this one rate on a scale of 1-10?

 

[Ridgewalker]

By Colorado standards he’s a 10. You actually cannot age a turkey by his beard, but by the length of his spurs.
Back in Texas years ago I took one with 5 beards up to 9” as I recall. It’s spurs were a shade over 1” and it field dressed at 26 lbs! Huge Rio Grand turkey! I would guess he was a 3 year old.
I saw a lone hen the other day right in town, Longmont! Eating green grass in someone’s yard.
Where did you see this one if I may ask?

 

[thriller]

View attachment 302463 Not a turkey hunter but on vacation this guy walked buy and by the time I got my camera out he was almost gone. By the beard how would this one rate on a scale of 1-10?

without a closer look at some of the beard and spur characteristics i cannot give a good age on this bird but i can say by the length of spur and beard i can see he is most likely 3 years old or older. Spurs grow at roughly 1/4 in / year but this is subject to terrain . I don't really rate turkeys but i can tell you he is a shooter for sure.

 

[meigsbucks]

Nice long beard and the best I can tell, decently long spurs. I’d shoot him in a heartbeat!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Close up of his right Spur.
Pretty long and sharp.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Bang!

 

[Hogpatrol]

He's a shooter!

 

[LivingTheDream]

Yeah definitely a shooter, wouldn't hesitate for a second.

 

[Mekaniks]

Yep defiantly a shooter. Now that you know what to look for, set up a Rio hunt with @gizmo and go smack one

 

[gizmo]

He’s a good bird I’d whack him. He’s probably in his prime. Don’t know how rocky it is there so his spurs may be deceiving. Old birds here wear their spurs down with age. His head leads me to think he’s probably about 3. Good bird, I’d tell him to smile and wait for the flash.
I’d be glad to get you a big bird this spring if you want a good one.

 

[Tra3]

Very nice turkey. Uncommonly long beard for MN standards. I wonder if it is as mean as the beard is long?

 

[Ridgewalker]

Erik, I’ll always remember seeing that group of 24-25 Toms on your place. I’ve seen fields of over 200 turkeys before in Texas, but never that many Toms in one group!
Yes you definitely have your share of turkeys, but what could we expect...you’re near Turkey, Texas!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Very nice turkey.

 

[Mort Hill]

I am with most comments above. 3 yr minimum due to spur length. Good enough trophy for 99.998% of turkey hunters on this site LOL. Sorry @Ridgewalker, I include you in that .002% that might hesitate.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Sorry @Ridgewalker, I include you in that .002% that might hesitate.

 

[wesheltonj]

If I was hunting, he would be in the oven.

 

[kevin masters]

Nice bird, but then I don't cull turkey they taste to dang good!!!

 

[IvW]

View attachment 302463 Not a turkey hunter but on vacation this guy walked buy and by the time I got my camera out he was almost gone. By the beard how would this one rate on a scale of 1-10?

11...

I know nothing about turkey hunting by the way........

 

[leslie hetrick]

I,ve hunted them for over 50 years and they are in the top three things for me to hunt..