Andy Douglas reveals his secrets on how to find bigger turkeys on your next hunt.

Know Mr. Big when you see him.
Most turkey hunters would like to shoot the oldest or biggest gobbler on their hunting property. The trouble, though, is that it’s difficult to identify which gobbler is Mr. Big until you have him in hand. Fortunately, there are clues that help hunters identify the dominant bird.

The boss gobbler is normally the oldest (usually three years or older) and biggest bird on the property and it’s easier to identify him by the way he acts than what he looks like.

A dominant bird demonstrates dominant behavior.

Sometimes during early season, when gobblers are still in small groups, you can pick out the boss. He will be the one that displays the most. In some situations, the dominant tom will never come out of strut, keeping his head pulled back tight and his fan sticking straight up. He’ll also be the one chasing other toms, or you will see the others get out of his way as he approaches.

As the season progresses, the dominant birds will be alone with the hens. They’ll run all competitors away using brute force and big spurs.

Keep in mind that the boss might not have the longest or thickest beard, but he will be one that has long, sharp and sometimes hooked-up spurs. A two-year-old will have 1/2- to typically 7/8-inchspurs, but they tend to be rounded on the tips. A three-year-old turkey’s spurs will be one inch to 1 1/4 inches, start to curve, and are sharp. Any toms over three years old have long razor-sharp spurs and they really start to hook upward—these are limb-hangers.

While we’re on spurs: if a gobbler isn’t strutting, it’s possible to see them before taking a shot. In the right situation where there’s no tall grass or brush, hunters can make out the spurs when a gobbler gets within 30 yards. It’s easier for hunters in blinds who can get away with some movement and check them through binoculars. MWO

 Like to hunt turkey? Check out the April issue of MidWest Outdoors magazine, available the first full week of April at a newsstand near you. You may also subscribe to MidWest Outdoors online or by phoning 800-606-3474.