I bumped into a big flock of turkeys a couple days ago. I could not see any beards on any of them, but when I gobbled, half of the birds stretched out their necks and gobbled back at me. And two of them started to strut. Are they this year poults? Or last year’s Jake’s? I took a video that I can text to anybody that would like to see it, but I am not gonna figure out how to post a video on here😁

I've seen and heard juvenile Jake's gobble and try n strut that have only tuft of a beard 5-6 months old. They will also make a kee kee run.
The tuft of beard isn't visible till you butcher them.

I'd say this year's Jake poults with nubs of beards too small to see like Nate said.

Robert's video:





It made the other one a "Short" Robert and it won't post here for whatever reason.

And this is why I love this site. Had to understand what kee kee was all about….

https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/kee-keeing-jakes-and-jennies-differentiated-and-why-it-matters

Thanks Nate!

Before I thought they gobbled in the spring pretty much but I’ve heard them gobble in fall a few times. Just last month a couple were hammering around me in MO working their way down a draw.

I’ve seen fall birds gobble when called to fairly often. All my experience is with Easterns though. I believe the birds in the video are Merriams.

merriams, the jerry's kids of the turkey world. they are jakes hatched in april/may of this year. aa jake from hatched last year will have a 6-8" beard and most probably will not be with last springs poults and adult hens.

Thank you Lugnut for posting the video!

You're welcome.