Im a first year turkey hunter and i shot my first bird this morning. The bird had an 8 in beard with 7/8 in long spurs. Im not sure if it would be considered a jake or a tom. Either way i dont care i am as happy as can be, it would just be nice to know.

Most definitely a tom! Probably a 2 to 3 year old bird. Closer to 2 I would guess. Congratulations on an outstanding first bird! Simp

Congrats!! I got my first one a couple of weeks ago! Nothing like it!

Jakes just have bumps for spurs...its the easist way to tell between tom or jake. Ive seen alot of those "in-between" birds+ with 3/4+ inch spurs, but they still have the longer tail feathers in the middle and shorter beards. Most likely 2 year olds.

Nice Gobbler.. Get some pics up!!!!

Tom guaranteed. Jakes have 3-4 inch beards, longer tail feathers in the middle of their feathers when they are strutted out, and just short nubs for spurs.

Congrats and lets see the pics!!

Thanks guys I will try to have pics up tomorrow. I just wasnt sure becuase the beard is thinner than most.The birdjust didnt seem as big as some of the ones i have seen posted.

Symetrical tail fan dictates turkey Puberty!

As other said - center 4 tail feathers when the fan is spread are an inch or so higher than the other 7 tail feathers are either side of the center four. If there is no difference - Tis a bona fide Tom - and from your spur measurement 2 yr old.

JW