How do you tell the difference between jake and tom??
03-08-2005, 11:02 PM
#11
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: drummond mt.
Posts: 786
RE: How do you tell the difference between jake and tom??
all turkeys sound different some jakes cannot gobble very well and some can gobble great not areal great way for identication middle tail feathers are loger when in strut short stubby 3inch beard and when you shoot him he will have just nubs on his legs where his spurs should be
03-09-2005, 06:40 AM
#12
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location:
Posts: 149
RE: How do you tell the difference between jake and tom??
thanks for all the help guys
I think I can tell now but if I shoot a jake instead its no big deal we can shoot anything with a beard here and I am not exactly out for a trophy more for just the fun and the experience, but it would be nice to get a big tom my first year.
I think I can tell now but if I shoot a jake instead its no big deal we can shoot anything with a beard here and I am not exactly out for a trophy more for just the fun and the experience, but it would be nice to get a big tom my first year.
03-09-2005, 09:18 AM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ripley TN USA
Posts: 284
RE: How do you tell the difference between jake and tom??
ORIGINAL: it flies it dies
thanks for all the help guys I think I can tell now but if I shoot a jake instead its no big deal we can shoot anything with a beard here and I am not exactly out for a trophy more for just the fun and the experience, but it would be nice to get a big tom my first year.
thanks for all the help guys
I think I can tell now but if I shoot a jake instead its no big deal we can shoot anything with a beard here and I am not exactly out for a trophy more for just the fun and the experience, but it would be nice to get a big tom my first year.
03-09-2005, 02:54 PM
#14
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,716
RE: How do you tell the difference between jake and tom??
I wouldn't just go by the sound. I killed a wily old bird last year that had 1 5/8" spur on one leg, and a broken spur (3/4) on the other. He was a smart and fat old beast with a big old paintbrush. His gobble sounded like a toilet flushing.
I've heard jakes that sound like Supertom.
Generally speaking, however, a jake will sound raspy and choppy. As noted earlier, a jake's tailfeather tips are longer, and not in a uniform half-circle when strutting. The middle feathers will be about 1-3" longer. Another sign is beard/spur length. A jake will have a short beard and stubby spurs.
There are exceptions here, too, as sometimes birds will lose their beards and start anew. Those will be mature gobblers with maybe a 2" beard.
You usually can tell, based on the totality of the facts. Jakes will also weigh less, generally.
If you see a strutter and his beard is in the grass, he has a big, pretty, round fan and a flock of hens around - it's no jake.
I've heard jakes that sound like Supertom.
Generally speaking, however, a jake will sound raspy and choppy. As noted earlier, a jake's tailfeather tips are longer, and not in a uniform half-circle when strutting. The middle feathers will be about 1-3" longer. Another sign is beard/spur length. A jake will have a short beard and stubby spurs.
There are exceptions here, too, as sometimes birds will lose their beards and start anew. Those will be mature gobblers with maybe a 2" beard.
You usually can tell, based on the totality of the facts. Jakes will also weigh less, generally.
If you see a strutter and his beard is in the grass, he has a big, pretty, round fan and a flock of hens around - it's no jake.
03-31-2005, 02:35 PM
#18
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Central PA
Posts: 590
RE: How do you tell the difference between jake and tom??
The fan is the first thing I look for and is a dead give away. The size of the bird can be a clue, as can the beard. These are not always solid distinguishers like the full fan, but can help. I've heard both Toms and Jakes that sound alike, so going by sound IMO would be the worst method of comparison. Make 'em strut and check for a full symetrical tail fan. BOOM!
