Turkey Season 2023

I’ve received 30 birds this year so far, and one of them was spurless. First I’ve ever seen actually. I don’t recall it having even small bumps.

 

I believe the new term for that is “transitioning”

 

I killed a 9" bearded full fanned tom some years ago with nothing but bumps for spurs. So at least a two year old minimum and one you would expect with 1/2-5/8" spurs. The only spur abnormality I've ever personally seen.

Had a turkey hunting uncle who passed over 30 years ago. One of the excuses he used to say about difficulty getting a bird was that they were acting "funny" and he would make a very feminine sounding "gobble gobble" to further the description. I can only imagine what he would say in this day and time. Heck of a man, always a hearty laugh and jovial. Sure do miss him.

 

The one in the group at my house that has little white hen bumbs has the thickest and longest beard of the group and is the second dominant tom. The one with one little spur and one little hen bump is the dominant bird. The others, including the long spurred one cower around him. Only the white hen bumped one holds his ground to him, though in a sub dominant position.

My second turkey I killed, the one that had zero spurs, not even a large scale, was the biggest tom of the three I had my choice of, had the longest beard and acted dominant.
I say my choice of as in that there were three, however, I was set up in an ambush and as the toms strolled by at 15 yards through the underbrush and bush limbs, I determined to take the lead tom as his head entered my narrow shooting lane. He just happened to be the bigger one. I wish I would have saved the legs. I was un aware that spurs were a thing when I started and threw the legs out with the carcass on my first turkey. The neighbor asked "where are the spurs? They are the trophy!" I dug through the garbage can and saved the spurs. I had no idea that a spurless tom was a somewhat rare thing until I got a book called After The Hunt by Lovett Williams JR.

 

As I was working on mounting the tail of the first tom I killed this season, i removed the tail coverts from the tail and beneath them was black and white barring on two of the tail feathers. I wish it was above the coverts so it could be seen on the mount.

 

I got this one May 5. I’m heading to Maine next week to hunt them.
I had a hen at my shop this spring with spurs 1/2” long and sharp. Saw her a number of times. That’s probably as rare as gobblers without spurs

 

Congrats!

I believe that they would be as rare as a spurless gobbler.

 

I have another door to the right. I wish I’d have thought to put tracks coming out that door. Thought of it to late.

 

Made one more trip, was able to talk her into letting me "take" her. Swore I would be careful and we wouldn't walk far. First time I've ever hunted from and hauled a turkey in a top end Chevy Impala!

 

Y’all are a turkey killing family ain’t ya?!
Congratulations

 

Crutches and all!! Congrats!

 

Thank you all.

 

I’m up in Maine hunting them now. My buddy and I each got one today. He’s done. I have one more tag. Maybe tomorrow!

 

I have been extremely successful at blowing it at the moment of truth. There is always something that happens at the pivotal moment. I know, "that's turkey hunting", but this year has been more difficult than most years previously.
I have one tag and one weekend and a holiday day left to fill it. In reality, 2 out of three ain't bad.

 

My first rio