Colville area Species Check

[CharlieBlue]

First year Turkey hunting.  Using a Remington 870 Super Mag  Firing Remington 3.5” heavy #6 Undertaker Choke.  Probably too long of a shot!  But patterned great at the range.... anyway, thought I was hunting Meriam’s,  looks like a Rio?? 

[jrebel]

Do you have a better picture of the fan?

[Russ McDonald]

It is a merriam or a mix. Lots of a little darker meriams up there.  A couple years ago I got on active duty army on a beautiful fully white Merriam and almost same place maybe 500 yards apart next day I got a one a little darker.  Second pic is me.

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[CharlieBlue]

Here is the fan.

[CharlieBlue]

That must have been an amazing couple days Russ! 

[Russ McDonald]

Yeah that is a Merriam for sure.  The coverts or inner ring of feathers are pretty white and sometime late season birds have pretty beat up fans from fighting.

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[CharlieBlue]

Here is one more.  Not as white as that pic looked.

[Limhangerslayer]

There really isn’t much of a pure strain of turkey in Washington besides eastern’s.  They have planted Merriams and Rio’s in every spot in eastern Washington.  Congrats on your first bird

[birddogdad]

and for your state slam, the area is only recognized for merriams.. not rio subspecies.. i found this out the hard way!

[CharlieBlue]

Great info guys!  Can’t wait for the fall when I can finish off my Merriam limit.  Good to know about the state Slam.... maybe one day. I’ve got a lot to learn first.  One thing is for certain,  I’m hooked!