Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: tlbradford on June 12, 2020, 12:13:40 AM
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Hey folks - Wanted to share a couple shots of this bird with all of you. It is mostly melanistic. All black until you get to the tips of the tail feathers. It was a 2 or 3 year old from Colville NF. Was spring bear hunting and a few were running up the road. My buddy and I hopped out and busted them up. Got in between the group of 2 or 3 and this guy was pushed down the hill. Set up between them and started with some keekees and purrs. He was fired up and gobbling a lot but super cautious. He hit a landing and I pulled the trigger and click. That was pretty loud. I froze and waited for him to step out from a small tree he had ducked behind. When he did I jacked a fresh shell in and put a couple bb’s through his breast. My buddy hit him much harder and knocked him dead. We got back to bear hunting quickly so no good success photos. I skinned him out to save for fly tying material. Picked up a second Tom later that afternoon on a call in after some hens ran in front of me on a forest service road. Saw one hen with babies. Did not see any bears. Will be heading back up this weekend.
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That's cool. My first thought when I saw the color was tying material.,,,and then I read on. Good choice!
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Look like a black Spanish cross!
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BTM :chuckle:
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That's a cool bird! Good luck finding bears!
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My guess would be a domestic turkey?
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My guess would be a domestic turkey?
It was in a pen :dunno: :chuckle:
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My guess would be a domestic turkey?
It was in a pen :dunno: :chuckle:
Not in common for people to raise turkeys that are allowed to free rome often leaving to venture off into the wild.
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Turkeys, like deer, can be melanistic (all black). Just like albinism, but the opposite end of the spectrum.
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I shot a melanistic turkey a few years ago just north of Deer Park. Mine has black wing feathers, but a normal colored fan for Merriams. I ended up having it mounted. At the time I didnt realize how rare they were.
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Interesting. Thanks for bringing the post back up. :tup:
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BTM :chuckle:
You beat me to it. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
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Did I miss something?