Lifespan of a Male Turkey

[Stlbaseball1]

This is not meant to stir up controversy, just for information and perhaps a little discussion.
For some of you guys that study and research turkeys, what is the average/estimated lifespan of a wild Eastern male turkey?

 

[Rob-HC Hunter]

In general, the average life expectancy for hens is three years and four years for toms.


https://www.nwtf.org/hunt/article/life- ... ncy-turkey


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[SEC]

Statistically speaking a jake is an old man. Considering most of his siblings didn't survive there 1st week of life.

 

[ROVERBOY]

I remember reading an article years ago. Some boologists did a 2 year study in Florida. Out of 100 eggs laid. 2 years later there was 2, 2 year old toms.

 

[Bgoodman30]

I hunted the same LB for 4 years for sure. I suspect he might still be around this year...


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[Andy S.]

Statistically speaking a jake is an old man. Considering most of his siblings didn't survive there 1st week of life.

He said a whole by saying very little. Very true statement.

 

[megalomaniac]

On captivity, 8 or 9 years is average for a well cared for gobbler. Hens 10 easy.

In the wild, I would guess 2 years is the average for the few who make it past their 6 month birthday. Lots of banded GPS studies going on currently in the southeast. Those studies will provide average lifespan for hens and gobblers once complete.

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[Huntaholic]

Ive got 2 hens here that I know are pushing 8 yrs old. The reason I know this is that they are both bearded ladies. Its hard to distinguish turkeys apart so unless there is something unusual about them theres no way to know about a wild bird if it doesn't have a tracking device on it.

 

[cowhunter71]

I'm certain there are Gobblers dying of old age here on South Cherokee, as well as any other heavily pounded public ground. Hunting pressure, especially from the googans, all but guarantees it

 

[Southern Sportsman]

An old man I know who still hunts killed one in 1998 that was banded as a jake in 1989. So he was 10 years old. But he was also a statistical anomaly. Most are old if they make it to 4.

By the way, the 10 yr old bird had respectable but unremarkable spurs. Everyone I know would look at them and debate 2 yr old vs. 3 yr old.

 

[SEC]

An old man I know who still hunts killed one in 1998 that was banded as a jake in 1989. So he was 10 years old. But he was also a statistical anomaly. Most are old if they make it to 4.

By the way, the 10 yr old bird had respectable but unremarkable spurs. Everyone I know would look at them and debate 2 yr old vs. 3 yr old.

Interesting right there.