Do you shoot jakes?

I am on my second year hunting turkeys, and have yet to shoot at one. This morning I had 2 jakes (beards were only about an inch) come in from behind me. Had no idea until one gobbled about 3 feet from my blind. I could have shot either one of them, but let them walk. So, my question is, do you shoot jakes if they are legal?

 

I harvested a jake as my first bird and I enjoyed every second of it.

If you have toms in the area wait it out, if not, take a Jake to gain some experience.

 

I have been lucky enough to only have Toms in front of me when I pulled the trigger so I hadn't had to pick between the two. My brother shot a jake this year because he had been skunked for the last 4 or 5 years. I probably would have shot the 2nd jake if I could have gotten a shot just to make it a double for us but other than that I don't plan to ever kill a jake from here on out.

 

Depends, if someone wrongs me...I don't care if their name is Jake, John or Paul..they're probably going to face retribution, I don't know that I'd involve projectiles but ya never know.


Kidding aside, I'm not really a "turkey hunter" but what experience I have taking a few, I have never shot a jake though I have shot some toms with short'ish beards. I'm not sure it has ever been a matter of principle but just a matter of choosing the biggest bird available. Judging age of birds is a little precarious from what I can tell, seems to me that the spurs are the best indicator and I'm not in a habit of asking a bird I'm about to shoot if I can measure his spurs. Beard length seems unreliable as I've seen that go every direction and have a good tom on camera recently that has no beard at all but longish spurs. It kind of boils down to how big of a beard and/or body weight do you want to chase in my mind. I'd prefer not to shoot young birds that could grow into someone's dream trophy, if that serves as a better answer.

 

My first two turkeys back in the late 80's were jakes. I have shot two since. They eat better.

 

Haven't in probably 10 years. Shot a lot of them though when I was younger, nothing wrong with it in my opinion.

 

I shoot a bird based on body size and the challenge of the shot.
To date I have shot three times as many birds with a bow as I have with a shotgun. For me it's way more of a thrill.

 

3 x 0 = 0.

 

After I wrote that I realized that I should have said that last year I shot one with a shotgun and 5 with a bow.

(Current events are a lot more applicable than ancient history!)

 

Glad my name is Carter and not John or Paul.....................................

Seriously. It is personal preference. I don't shoot Jakes.

 

I don't see any issue with waiting on a mature turkey, but I will shoot the first legal thing in front of me. Maybe one day I will be a trophy turkey hunter.

 

I have shot about 5 jakes in my turkey hunting career but it has probably been 8 years or so since I have. I'd just rather wait for a longbeard these days.

 

I usually have time for about 3, 20 minute hunts per year... If they come to play... So do I.

 

I shoot jakes. I usually shoot the first male that comes in and then the next on I go for a mature one. In my opinion younger turkey meat tastes better

 

Yes I shoot jakes.
It's about the same thing as shooting a 2/3 year old buck.

 

Shot one today

 

I shot and missed one last year. If one comes in and nothing else, I am shooting it. Like you, I have yet to kill a turkey and I will have no problem taking a Jake if I get a chance.