I never understood why this is

[MOhunter46]

Why is it that everytime i kill a bird the spurs are dull? All the birds i see killed on tv have sharp spurs. So thanks in advance for any input.

[SwampCollie]

There are several reasons why this maybe:

First, I notice you live in Missouri, which is generally flat, but.... is there a large frequency of rocks in the soil in your area? Hilly at all?

Secondly, depending on how many birds you have killed, you may very well just be killing 2 year old birds with steady consistancy. Jakes and 2 y.o birds do not have sharp spurs yet, they are rounded off considerably.

Thirdly, there is a chance that you just haven't killed a bird with NEEDLE sharp spurs yet. Not all spurs are super super sharp, though the spurs of a 3 year old bird are noticeably sharper than a 2 year old (generally). When rocks come into play, all bets are off. I've killed birds with needle sharp 1" spurs, and birds with relatively dull 1 3/8ths spurs. My best set of matching 1 5/8" spurs though are both very sharp on the points.

Just a few suggestions. Could be one of these or something else.

[JW]

most might be just 2 yr olds......just a guess....

JW

here this might help

[MOhunter46]

ORIGINAL: SwampCollie

There are several reasons why this maybe:

First, I notice you live in Missouri, which is generally flat, but.... is there a large frequency of rocks in the soil in your area? Hilly at all?

Yes it is very hilly and there is a ton of rocks.

[ICALL2MUCH]

Hilly terrain will keep most spurs less than needle sharp!

That is why those FL birds have HOOKS!

[Born 2 Bow Hunt]

Are sharps spurs important? If he has a 9" plus beard I am happy.....

[Rory/MO]

ORIGINAL: SwampCollie

There are several reasons why this maybe:

First, I notice you live in Missouri, which is generally flat, but.... is there a large frequency of rocks in the soil in your area? Hilly at all?

Secondly, depending on how many birds you have killed, you may very well just be killing 2 year old birds with steady consistancy. Jakes and 2 y.o birds do not have sharp spurs yet, they are rounded off considerably.

Thirdly, there is a chance that you just haven't killed a bird with NEEDLE sharp spurs yet. Not all spurs are super super sharp, though the spurs of a 3 year old bird are noticeably sharper than a 2 year old (generally). When rocks come into play, all bets are off. I've killed birds with needle sharp 1" spurs, and birds with relatively dull 1 3/8ths spurs. My best set of matching 1 5/8" spurs though are both very sharp on the points.

Just a few suggestions. Could be one of these or something else.

great post!

[MOhunter46]

ORIGINAL: Born 2 Bow Hunt

Are sharps spurs important? If he has a 9" plus beard I am happy.....

No, it's not important but i wasjust curious why they weren't.

[r33h]

Most likely a younger aged bird. My biggest bird that I have killed had 1.6" spurs and the spurs are super sharp on the tip...this was one big bird, however. I have shot some 2 year old birds with average sized spurs and some were somewhat sharp and others were dulled at the edge.

[mohunter82]

down in warsaw all there is is rocks and hills and hollers. or at least most of the area. what part you hunting down there.