Jake: Young Male Turkey

[Grant Barrett]

This question from the Missouri Conservationist magazine interests me:

Q: I bagged a young turkey in the fall season. Why do we call young male turkeys
"jakes?"

http://www.conservation.state.mo.us:80/conmag/2001/02/reflect.htm

The OED is not much help, though I do like the definition "A rustic lout or
simpleton: usually country jake." Does anyone have anything more concrete?

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Grant Barrett
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