What States Have You Hunted Turkeys?

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

You guys and them big birds. Never targeted them but I’m sure it’s a hoot to hunt em, especially with a bow.  Heard from many that they are not quality table fare?

Non sense, if you've had grain fed beef and then grass fed beef or venison or elk, you know the difference. Yes Venison and Elk can be great straight on the grill and so can "some" turkey. There are tons of ways to get around the "gamy" taste of turkey. But know they don't always compare to a butterball.

Couple Tips I like:
Brine it if you brine your upland, aka a salt bath or a salt and brown sugar bath.

Breast = Crock pot or pressure cooker with a jar of salsa (unbelievable shredded tacos) or just cut strips for jerky
Thighs = Good pot pie meat and super easy to get at for grinding and making ground breakfast meat
Legs = I like them in turkey noodle soup or turkey pot pie (can use the above cuts for this too), slow cook to get it off the bone and tendons out, makes a broth with and your cook'n from there.

I don't leave the field without every last edible piece of the bird (including not mentioned above wing, neck, gizzards, heart, and liver). I could go on and on about all the ways to prep wild turkey.

I struggled out the gate refining my techniques but now friends are asking me to make wild turkey when they come over.

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

Is it just a coincidence Florida keeps popping up or is there something special about it you guys are seeking out?

Florida has the Osceola turkey which is one of the four sub-species you need for a grand slam. Only found there. They also have Easterns so if you go really prepared you can get an eastern and Osceola in Florida and a Merriam and Rio about anywhere here out west for your grand slam.

[EWUeagles]

You guys and them big birds. Never targeted them but I’m sure it’s a hoot to hunt em, especially with a bow.  Heard from many that they are not quality table fare?

Any person who says wild turkey isn't good I instantly know they are horrible cooks. I did turkey schnitzel last year and everyone loved it.

[C-Money]

Wild birds are great to eat! We use a turkey bag and bake them...delicious. I think wilds are sweeter in flavor.
I've hunted Washington and Pennsylvania. Great fun.

[Russ McDonald]

My wife hates store bought turkey but loves wild turkey.  We usually breast the turkey.  I have baked them, stripped them and made jalapeno poppers.  Like all wild game it is all in the way you prepare and cook the meat.

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[Jpmiller]

Is it just a coincidence Florida keeps popping up or is there something special about it you guys are seeking out?

Florida has the Osceola turkey which is one of the four sub-species you need for a grand slam. Only found there. They also have Easterns so if you go really prepared you can get an eastern and Osceola in Florida and a Merriam and Rio about anywhere here out west for your grand slam.

Cool, thanks

[Cab]

The eastern birds I use to shoot in Maine honestly were not great eats when I would brine them and grill them. They had a funk to them but then a coworker brought some in that he smoked and it was totally awesome. I smoked my bird last year and my wife's family that NEVER eats wild games or has ever hunted LOVED it. They sometimes get a bad rap but they can be amazing. Hunting them is by far my favorite kind of hunting, beats everything else if you ask me.

[CJ1962]

Washington and Florida for me.  I had a 2 year assignment in Florida and got one on public land.  One of the WMAs that don’t require a draw, what the locals affectionately call a Romp and Stomp.


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[avidnwoutdoorsman]

Washington and Florida for me.  I had a 2 year assignment in Florida and got one on public land.  One of the WMAs that don’t require a draw, what the locals affectionately call a Romp and Stomp.


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Curious which one.... I hunted Green Swamp and Upper Hillsborough while in Florida. Bird put the slip on me at one but I was successful on the other.


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[CJ1962]

3 Lakes and Bull Run for Turkeys.  I killed a pig in Green Swamp.

Washington and Florida for me.  I had a 2 year assignment in Florida and got one on public land.  One of the WMAs that don’t require a draw, what the locals affectionately call a Romp and Stomp.


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Curious which one.... I hunted Green Swamp and Upper Hillsborough while in Florida. Bird put the slip on me at one but I was successful on the other.


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[DOUBLELUNG]

NH, WY, NE and WA.  Nebraska is the only stated I've hunted turkeys as a nonresident.

[follow maggie]

Only Washington for me, but this year I'm adding Montana & maybe Wyoming.

[follow maggie]

You guys and them big birds. Never targeted them but I’m sure it’s a hoot to hunt em, especially with a bow.  Heard from many that they are not quality table fare?

Any person who says wild turkey isn't good I instantly know they are horrible cooks. I did turkey schnitzel last year and everyone loved it.

 

[birddogdad]

PA and Western WA so far. doing NorCal this season early April and Eastern Wa late may too!  Looking into FL for '21

[Birdguy]

Washington and Montana