Thin vs Thick

[WhiskerBiscuit]

What makes some birds have thicker beards than others?? The farm I've hunted the past few years, seems like all the birds (toms) that have been taken have long thin beards.

[kidd rock]

I don't know for sure, but i would think that genetics are the cause of this. same situation with certian characteristics of a bucks rack.

[Mepperson]

I don't know for sure, but i would think that genetics are the cause of this. same situation with certian characteristics of a bucks rack.

I agree, it's probably the gene pool....but diet may play a role as well. Do you do food plots?

[kylongbeards]

stress !!!! from all the hunters out and about trying to smash their skulls

[beards-n-bone]

I don't know for sure, but i would think that genetics are the cause of this. same situation with certian characteristics of a bucks rack.
I agree as well.....The length would be effected by terrain, but the thickness would have to be genetic and maybe something to do with diet.

[Feedman]

2 yrs olds beards will be thinner. 4 and 5 yr old birds have the thickest beards. I read this in turkey call or turkey hunting, can't remember for sure.

[WKYHNTR]

I don't think age has anything to do with it, I think its all genetics. Ive seen many two year olds taken off our place with a paint brush and have 3/4" spurs. Where I hunt they usually all have thick beards, and this other place I hunt in the bottoms they usually have thinner beards. I have also noticed that birds in the river bottoms have better spurs then the ones on our farm which is hilly and very rocky. They are not as rounded off and are always sharper. I don't know if thats the case or not, has any one else experienced this?