Can anyone explain?

[kookie181]

I have watched a lot of turkey hunting on tv. It is how I get myself even more amped up about the exciting Missouri Long Beard hunts this state is infamous for. Up until this year I have been unsuccessful. I am proud to say I killed a monster this year. 24 lbs, double beard 10 1/2 inch and 8 1/2 inch beards, but the strangest thing it had no spurs nor did it have any signs of spurs, NOT EVEN A BUMP!! I am wondering if anyone else has run in to this situation and/or they might be able to explain why this might have happened. Thank you.

[BAMABUCKS]

I would also like to know peoples opinoin on this. My largest turkey (also 24 lbs.) to date did not have any spurs. Like yours; not even a bump where they should be.

[raylandarcher]

Man I wish I had an answer for ya but I don't.I have never seen or heard of that in my area.The only thing I would guess would be that it is a genetic thing.But you probably already thought that as well.

[Mathews XT Man]

I dont know why..I never ate the spurs anyways..LOL

[Matchthedeerslayer]

i dont know why eather because all the turkeys ive seen all have had spurs and ive seen some pretty big ones like a 25 pounder and it had spurs beats me.

[Rhino]

It's just a rare turkey abnormality that happens. I understand less than 1% of gobblers have no spurs. Their legs look similar too a hen except larger in size. A friend of mine once killed a mature old gobbler that didn't have spurs too. I never have.

Another spur abnormality that is more unusual than spurless birds are birds with multiple spurs. Other turkey abnormalities that are well known are different color phases and multiple beards. You just don't hear much about spur abnormalities since they are so rare.

[Covehnter]

Its just a defect in the genes, called one for my buddy last year that had an 11 1/8" beard and no spurs what so ever. First i'd seen.

[kookie181]

Thanks for all of the explanation. Sounds to me like I just took a rare bird and no need to further investigate.

[Bachflock]

Yup, I agree, genetics. If you're interested I'd recommend reading "After the Hunt" by Lovett Williams - has a lot of good info on turkey biology (including genetics and quirks in nature) and keeps it interesting.