There is only one reason to not shoot jakes.....you want to hear them gobble next year. This isn't deer hunting we are talking about. Taking a jake doesn't hurt your breeding structure, your habitat demand, your genetic pool. Jakes can breed just like a 2 year or older bird.

If your concern is wanting to hear more gobbles or take more "trophies" then pass on jakes. If you want to fill your freezer with meat then take a jake.

Me, I'm an opportunist. I passed on a jake one time while waiting for the big guy to give me a shot. The big guy never stepped out from behind a rock and the jake walked past twice before wandering off to a distant hen with the big guy. I didn't get either bird. Hindsight I could have had grilled turkey for supper.