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How to Identify a Wild Tom Turkey in Indiana

While wild turkeys all but vanished from Indiana and other Midwest states in the mid-1900s, they are now abundant throughout the United States. Toms --- also known as "gobblers" --- and hens look similar, but their habits and slightly varying physical characteristics set them apart. With a trained eye and patience, you can easily identify a wild tom turkey from a hen.

Things You'll Need

Binoculars

Instructions

- 1
  Assess the color of the turkey's feathers. Males are deep brown with black tips on the tail feathers. The feathers have an iridescent copper look. The females are a muted brown with no iridescence. Typically only toms fan their tail feathers and strut, but during adolescence, hens may mimic this behavior as well.
- 2
  Look at the color of the turkey's head. Males' heads and skin below the neck are normally red but can change to white or blue in a few seconds during breeding season. Females have gray or slate-blue heads.
- 3
  Determine if the turkey has a beard. The beard is a tuft of long feathers protruding and hanging down from the turkey's chest. Toms have beards that are usually 8 to 10 inches long. About 10 percent of hens have beards, but they are much thinner and shorter, averaging around 6 inches in length. Most hens do not have beards.
- 4
  Look for a spur on the back of the turkey's leg. Toms usually have spurs that get longer with age. Females have no spurs. On the rare occasion that a hen has a spur, it is usually small and rounded instead of protruding out for fighting or defense purposes.
- 5
  Assess the turkey's size. Toms are about 23 pounds at maturity. Females weigh about 12 pounds.
- 6
  Notice where you saw the turkey. In the winter, hens and toms live in small groups separate from each other. Only during breeding season do the turkeys intermingle. Toms can be found in a separate flock, defending the harem of hens against other toms.

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