No Jakes Rule?

[Five Seasons]

It's no secret that populations have been down. Some states in the US have a 6" beard rule for anyone over 15. I, and many other realize the issue is habitat and predators, but would you support the "turkey version" of ARs? While not restricting youth.

[Lawdwaz]

What states have that?

[Pygmy]

No....

[jjb4900]

I would support that less than antler restrictions...if that's possible

[SteveB]

Can I shoot them with a crossbow?

[Doc]

I'm not sure what the point would be. Older versions of male turkeys? Is there any documentation that increasing the average age of the male turkeys has any positive effect on the turkey population? I mean there has to be some theory of benefit involved and not just some arbitrary restriction just for restriction's sake..... right?

[landtracdeerhunter]

Would be a better idea, don't shoot hens.

[Larry]

I don't think there is any state that has a 6” beard rule. You could never be sure if the beard was 6”s or 5 7/8 of inch till you shot it.

[Pygmy]

Without searching all the states' regs, I do remember at least one state where there is a minimum beard length.  Alabama. perhaps..

 

Another reg in at least one state is GOBBLER only... Bearded hens are not legal as they are in many states... maybe that's Alabama also.

[nyantler]

Could accomplish the same thing with a one tom rule... plus I think its not that hard to tell a mature tom from a jake.

[Uncle Nicky]

Mississippi is the only state I know of with the 6" beard rule. But no, I don't like the idea. I'd rather they put a restriction on hens in the fall time.

[pistolp71]

Would be a better idea, don't shoot hens.

 

That makes more sense, and a one tom rule.

[thphm]

By me last year the population was down, But thanks to the trappers and hunters wiping out a good part of the Fox and Yote. population, the turkeys have made a comeback.

Opening week of rifle season I had 36 turkeys cross the road and come on to my property and stayed on it for most of the rifle season.Pecking away at the ground.Must have been something they liked to keep them there that long.

Very tempting to pull the trigger when you see a bunch of 8" and 10" beards around you.

[Larry]

What's the big deal killing any male turkeys dose not effect the population one bit. If anything killing a smaller bird would help the population genetically more so then killing the biggest and best birds.

[518BowSlayer]

^{if you want to do that where you hunt because you think you will shoot a bigger bird next year, that's fine. We have tons of turkeys where I hunt and even more on the property across the street, so it wouldn't make much sense here. I actually hope to shoot a jake this year so I can use the fan for my full strut decoy. but to each his own I guess}

[Terry]

... plus I think its not that hard to tell a mature tom from a jake.

My thoughts as well. No reason to set a minimum beard length when there are other ways

[phade]

It makes little sense here when most of the breeding has taken place before the season even opens.

[ATbuckhunter]

I would think a 1 bird limit in the spring and fall would be a greater benefit. 

[Five Seasons]

What states have that?

 

Mississippi for one. I'm sure there are others.

http://www.mdwfp.com/media/7311/hunting_seasons.pdf

 

interestingly enough there are no time limits and season bag limit is 3.

 

 

You could never be sure if the beard was 6”s or 5 7/8 of inch till you shot it.

 

It's no different than states that have ARs on inside spread or main beam. Also, MS has some areas where inside spread must be 10" and others where it's 12. They give you guidelines, but you're right. You could easily mess up.

Edited February 24, 2014 by Belo

[nyantler]

having a beard measurement wouldn't be that hard either... if it's 6" just shoot bird around 8"... keep away from the minimum aim higher no problem

[Four Season Whitetail's]

1 spring tom with no fall season. I do not see a shortage problem in our neck of the wood's. If anything, their numbers are up and deer are down.

[Five Seasons]

1 spring tom with no fall season. I do not see a shortage problem in our neck of the wood's. If anything, their numbers are up and deer are down.

 

interesting how the state various. In 8F it's the opposite.

[Bow Addict]

Shooting Jakes versus long beards isn't going to have much effect on the turkey population one way or the other.Most years most of the breeding is done by May 1st.A better idea would be ,don't shoot hens in the fall.

[G-Man]

i do not see a reason for a 1 bird limit... most people i know only get 1 anyway.. perhaps splitting the season 1 bird from may 1-15, and 1 from 16-31st like they use too. 90% of all breeding is done in april. popualtion is much more a factor of habitat, and weather, predators (including them pesky birds of prey...)

[Terry]

Probably a better option is to reduce natural predators