Maytom is right about the spurs tellin the age. a jake will have 1/2" or less spur length. a 2 year ole tom will have spurs up to one inch long. spurs longer than an inch, will be at least a 3 year old turkey. my personal belief is a tom with 1 1/8" spurs is a 3 year old. if their longer than 1 1/8" he' s 4 years old maybe older.
that' s my personal opinion.
I look at it like this. a jake (1 year old or younger) that has a 5" beard, can have a 10 or 11" beard or longer in just one more year. that' s why I like to let the jakes walk. unless I' m usin a bow that is.