What Qualifies as a Trophy Tom?

BucHuntr28 · 02-01-2008, 07:01 AM

Okay...first year Turkey Hunting...be gentle.

I have heard several standards through the years that define "trophy" in the hunting and fishing world, like a nice ten point buck, or a ten pound largemouth ( give or take several other factors- this is just a generalization).

My question is, what makes a gobbler a "trophy" gobbler?

ICALL2MUCH · 02-01-2008, 07:21 AM

Perception is reality!!

IMO, at your stage, any bird is a trophy! Good luck! Hunt Safe!

FlywayControl · 02-01-2008, 07:47 AM

First bird,Any size is a trophy.Next bird,full fan with spurs.

MOhunter46 · 02-01-2008, 08:15 AM

Any bird is a trophy to me. Because they are so hard to kill

zubba · 02-01-2008, 08:20 AM

anything not a jake. Full beard, spurs, and full fan,................. and a loud thunderous gobble that just about gives you morning wood when you first hear it in the morning....lol.

Arrowmaster · 02-01-2008, 08:24 AM

Turkeys are hard to hunt and for me any turkey is a trophy. Dont get me wrong I havent shot a Jake in years. But if I was down to the wire and a jake presented himself. He'd get it. I would still consider him a trophy. Its all in the eyes of the beholder...

fenrick · 02-01-2008, 08:57 AM

I can't agree with everyone enough. Turkey's are such elusive birds, any bird is a trophy. When you think about it, even getting close enough without them knowing you are there is amazing. As the season starts, of course I'll hold off for the big 'ol Tom, but as the season progresses, you can bet I'll be taking a Jake if the opportunity presents itself. And I'll do it with a smile on my face.

Rory/MO · 02-01-2008, 09:19 AM

any toms a trophy, much harder than deer to hunt IMO

PYbuckhunter · 02-01-2008, 10:10 AM

Taking anylong-beard is an accomplishment!

But a real trophy to me is long spurs........Limb Hangers!

JW · 02-01-2008, 10:17 AM

My rule of thumb - Over 20 lbs - beard over 10 inches spurs over an inch and sharp.

I do not shoot Jakes and have gone without filling a tag tho I could have if I did shoot that jake. I do vidoe the ones I let get away -

Just my way to hunt - do not poo-poo others if that is what they want to do. Hunting is IMO one's personal preference.

I do fill the tags of the states I hunt with any mature Tom tho. That is like others have stated. Full symetrical fan9your first indiacation of a mature bird over 2 yrs old) - nice beard ( as long as it drops from the breast and soes not stick out like a pencil)- have passed a few that the beard was too short. Or spurs as I do like to let them get prolly way too close!

But spurs are hard to see even close-up.

JW