Measuring Spurs

[GobbleNut]

Measuring a gobbler's spurs is apparently not an exact science. The area where the spur comes out of the leg often has no clear definition of where the spur actually starts. Often there will be a kind of ring around the base of the spur, and even some scaley growth at the base that makes it hard to determine where to hold the tape for an accurate measurement.

Looking at various pictures of people measuring them, I see some holding the tape at the point where the ring of skin meets the leg,...and some measure where the ring meets the spur,...and both points are sometimes hard to tell for sure.

I also see people using a stiff tape and measuring in a straight line across the spur (wrong method, for sure),...and others that use a flexible tape and measure along the longest arc of the spur (correct method).

The fact is that, depending on which way you measure, you can easily add a sixteenth or an eighth of an inch to each spur length (or cheat yourself out of some length),...and that can make a big difference in a birds total score.

Anyway,...what is your opinion on where the tape is supposed to be held at the base of the spur?

[guesswho]

I just start at the back of the leg to be safe. Don't want to cheat myself.

[aristico]

I like to start from the longest toe......every inch counts......

[Bigspurs68]

Measure the spur from the lower edge of the base to the tip, following the curve if there is any. Measure spur only, not scales or skin. measure with a flexible tape as you would if you were measuring a antler or horn. Give it what it is, none less, none more.
I have also seen some of those pics of spur measurement, some are outrageous. It's NOT like measuring a cats tail.

[CamoMan4025]

I've probably measured my bird wrong.....I better go back and redo it....heck he'll have 2" spurs now!

Thanks guys!

[turkey_slayer]

Measure the spur from the lower edge of the base to the tip, following the curve if there is any. Measure spur only, not scales or skin. measure with a flexible tape as you would if you were measuring a antler or horn. Give it what it is, none less, none more.
I have also seen some of those pics of spur measurement, some are outrageous. It's NOT like measuring a cats tail.

Yep. I see guys all over the net measuring from the scales and using metal tape. Neither are correct if you want to know the actual length. I see more over measuring instead of shorting themselves tho

[fountain]

Take a piece of paper, make a fold in it and lay it at the base of the bottom of the spur and measure the curve. That's another ways I've been told to measure.

Right?
Wrong?


Someone post up some pics...I've seen some Wilde measurements where a 1 1/8 spurr came up to 1 3/8 pretty easy. My home state forum had a gobbler contest and there are odd measuring ways listed this year for sure... kinda like some of the bucks I see posted around too

[turkey_slayer]

[Rockhound]

That's why i don't care for turkey contest, there's one on this forum that consistently adds 1/4"-1/2" to every spur he has

[GLS]

So in other words, not from the tip of his beak to the end of the spur? Gil

[drenalinld]

The pic turkey slayer posted is perfect. If you draw a line on the longest curve of the spur which should be the bottom side toward the ground or foot it should strike the leg in the center if viewing the turkey from behind if it were standing on its feet. The spur base is sloped from the outside of the leg to the inside. The measurement point should be the center line of the spur from outside to inside of the leg were held vertical. Some guys try to measure longest part of the curve correctly but then incorrectly measure all the way to the lowest exposed part of the spur on the inside of the gobbler's leg thus adding length and not measuring the center of spur. Confusing??

[howl]

They don't make a ruler that can measure the grandeur of the wild turkey gobbler. Best you can do is eyeball it and add a 1/4" just to be safe try to do him justice.

[TRKYHTR]

I measure it like it was an antler. Draw a line where the spur meets the leg and measure the arc of the spur.

[Sloppy_Snood]

Why does it even matter?

[trkykilr]

That's why i don't care for turkey contest, there's one on this forum that consistently adds 1/4"-1/2" to every spur he has

I vowed to never take another picture measuring a beard or spur. Screw contests. That's not why I hunt. I rarely even measure birds anymore. If he looks like he may be 1.5 I'll put a tape on him but just for my knowledge. It's about the experience.

[drenalinld]

That's why i don't care for turkey contest, there's one on this forum that consistently adds 1/4"-1/2" to every spur he has

I vowed to never take another picture measuring a beard or spur. Screw contests. That's not why I hunt. I rarely even measure birds anymore. If he looks like he may be 1.5 I'll put a tape on him but just for my knowledge. It's about the experience.

Same here. The last time I took measurements for a contest I killed a great hybrid in NE. I thought it might weigh 25 or 26 lbs and have 1-1/2" spurs. It was 24 lbs and the spurs were just a tad over 1-3/8". I found myself disappointed. STOOPID. Not the contest just my competitive nature getting silly. I have never entered another contest, taken measurement pics or give another flip what a gobbler scored.

[hootn]

you mean we dont measure from the fronnt of the leg, gee...

[Johndoe]

Like a squirrels tail. From the azz hole to the tip.

[appalachianassassin]

I measure mine with a half scale ruler(6 inches = 1 foot) every one I kill has at least 1.75 inch spurs.

[Jamey]

You mean these aren't 2-1/4" spurs??

[Gobbler]

Here are some 2.5 inch spurs I won a contest with last year. Guesswho can verify those are accurate.

[Jamey]

I need you to start measuring mine for me Doug.