Had three toms in front of my ground blind today and deer behind me. I was worried about spooking the deer but decided to take a shot at my first turkey. While trying to decide which one to shoot at ( all about 20 yards) they started walking away leaving me without a shot. I had decided to go for the one with the longest beard. Anything else I should be looking for ?
Hey Rob On Turkeys about the only two things you can usually see is the Beard length and a visual on body size. Almost always you never know how long the spurs are until you acttually have the bird down. This time of year, your really not going to see any birds faned out but in the spring another thing to look at is the fan. If its rounded all the way asross the top its a Tom (mature bird) If the center section sticks up higher than the sides its a Jake ( young Tom ) If it were me and you have never killed one with a Bow, Id take the first one you have a shot at good luck bud.
I mentioned once on another thread that I've got a wall-full of turkey fans that I've taken while on stand ... My secret? LOL -- to Dan's point: I take the first one that offers me a good opportunity.
Thanks guys ! Yeah I'm really kickin myself for not just taking a shot at one. Any would be a great first It's not the best pic but I think this is them.
Most of them time the biggest and most dominate bird will be strutting... but in the fall this is unlikely.. You just have to use your best judgement on which bird you think is bigger..
