turkey hunting questions

I am about to do my first turkey hunt. It looks like my regular hunting license covers it and shotgun only.

what constitutes a legal turkey to shoot?

if it has a beard it is legal? or can I shoot any turkey?

is it against the law to hunt them over a feeder?

any tricky rules I need to know please feel free to inform

Cant wait!!!

thanks

Depends on the area you are hunting, for example where I live here in Lamar county we are only allowed to harvest one gobbler, some areas where there are 4 bird counties I believe you can harvest one bearded hen. as far as distinguishing a legal turkey I'll use the example in my county because we can only harvest gobblers.. There are two types of male turkeys, the Jake's and the gobblers both have some different appearances between the two, the Jake's typically have a shorter beard and the gobblers typically will have longer beards (hence the name long beard) but the other characteristic you can use to tell is that gobblers will typically have a even filled out fan where a Jake's will not be as even and filled out, the feathers in the middle of the fan will appear longer than the feathers on the outsides of the fan, and also the Jake's gobble will not sound as deep and rattling like a gobblers gobble.. anyways I hope some of these tips will have answered your questions! Good luck out there!! Oh and make sure you have purchased your upland game bird stamp before you head out! Don't want ya to get a ticket.

x2 on the upland stamp! Don't forget that... And if you are hitting public land make sure it isn't a 'draw only' area for permits and make sure you have your Annual Public Hunting License ($48)

Thank you guys I did not realize that stamp was needed. I will get that online before I leave this morning.

I am hunting in Atascosa county. It says gobblers or bearded hens are legal so I am assuming that means that anything with a beard is legal?

If you need an experienced buddy to help you call and identify birds I will make the drive from Victoria. Anything with a beard is legal per my understanding but obviously a gobbler will gobble and strut with the beard hanging down and a jake will gobble more lightly and may strut with a short beard that sticks straight out. The jake tail fan will not be an even semicircle like a tom's but have the center longer than the edges. A bearded hen will not strut and may just feed and look at the decoys if present.

I am heading out to a friends lease to help fill the feeders and water troughs and in the mornings and afternoons we will be looking for pigs and turkeys.

We will do some calling and see what happens. I am going really for the pigs. That is my passion and favorite species to hunt. I am not much of a bird hunter nor do I even own a shotgun.

My buddy has an extra he is letting me borrow so I am good for the weekend.

So basically if it has a beard or squeals it dies.

I dont get to go the country that often so today is like Xmas morning for me!