Alabama Tom

[coachg]

Finally made time to go hunting. Second bird I've killed at my son in law and daughter's farm. 1 last year and this guy this morning. Foggy morning so I didn't know how the turkey would react , but they were gobbling big time . Heard 4-5 different birds . This guy was not too far off the pasture edge .

 

[Dave]

I never have shot a turkey. Had no desire to. After making it through the winter here they have to be some mighty tough eating. I have always thought that shooting one in the fall made better sense than doing it in the spring. And the rumor here is they are tough on rattle snakes so the wife won't let anyone kill a turkey on our place.

 

[coachg]

Best tasting meat you've ever put in your mouth ! Son in law is going to smoke the breast .

 

[Dave]

Best tasting meat you've ever put in your mouth ! Son in law is going to smoke the breast .

Everyone I know of here says they are tough and dry. But a whole different winter climate here. They do have a significant winter death lose here. The ones that survive the winter are certainly tough.

 

[coachg]

These birds live in the hardwoods between pastures or agricultural fields. I've had them fried and smoked . Both tasty and moist . I could see where the western birds would have a tough life and could be tough to eat . Most folks just breast them . I know a few that will use the whole bird but not usually.

 

[coachg]

Old boy put on a show for me . It was short and I wish I could have videoed it ! He got a little spooked and was about to leave , I thought , so I shot . I learn something every time I go .

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Everyone I know of here says they are tough and dry. But a whole different winter climate here. They do have a significant winter death lose here. The ones that survive the winter are certainly tough.

Same here. The few that survive the winter did so by eating spruce buds and tree bark. They taste just like what they eat. So tough and dry its hard to choke it down.

 

[coachg]

I'll post when it's ready to eat . A LOT better than farm raised turkey

 

[mwj]

Old boy put on a show for me . It was short and I wish I could have videoed it ! He got a little spooked and was about to leave , I thought , so I shot . I learn something every time I go .

Did he ''spit and drum'' for you? They are up close when you can hear that.

 

[M.Magis]

Wild turkey taste the same from HI to New York, there's nothing special about them just because of cold winters. If cooked poorly or like a domestic bird, they're dry and tough as boot leather. If brined and cooked properly, the breast is pretty decent. The rest is best suited for things like turkey salad. But eating them is at the bottom of the list of why people hunt them. A good turkey hunt is the highlight of my year. There is no better sound than a gobble echoing through the woods

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Wild turkey taste the same from HI to New York, there's nothing special about them just because of cold winters.

I'll 100% disagree with you on that. Wild turkey from here survive on tree buds and bark and taste like that. My dad lives 500 miles south in corn country and wild turkey from there is edible. Same goes for venison around here they taste just like chewing on a cedar tree, my dad's corn fed deer taste almost like beef.

No different than a corn finished vs grass finished beef.

The age old saying "you are what you eat" is 100% truth.

 

[coachg]

Did he ''spit and drum'' for you? They are up close when you can hear that.

My hearing isn't the best . If I've ever heard spitting and drumming I can't testify to it .

 

[mwj]

My hearing isn't the best . If I've ever heard spitting and drumming I can't testify to it .

Find a tape online and turn up the volume. It is the noise made when they change the looks of the breast feathers when they strut. Sounds like tapping a balloon almost.

Sounds neat but can only be heard at a fairly close range. It will make the hair stand up on your neck and usually precedes a booming gobble.


This sound is usually made directly behind you while your gun is on your lap!

 

[coachg]

I've heard of hunters talking about it but it much be the pitch or something. I can hear one gobble but sometimes I can't decide which direction. Been lucky to hunt with some good hunters over the years and now my son in law and daughter's land is a target rich environment Been waiting all season for him to go with me but he always has something on his calendar. Yesterday it was a pancake breakfast at their church . The week before he was on a business trip . The week before they went on a Disney cruise . I finally said the season is almost over so I better go . I'll only kill one a season over there . Don't want to wear out my welcome .

 

[M.Magis]

Drumming is almost like "feeling" loud bass from a big stereo. Its really tough to notice even when they're close enough hear it.

 

[TCRanch]

One of my little cowboys (just turned 16) got this tom in the brome field behind the barn. Pretty nice bird, weighed 40 lbs. Bonus: this kid is super respectful of us and the ranch. Always texts me for permission to hunt, always shuts gates, never leaves ruts, never leaves trash, and makes a point thanking us.

 

[coachg]

Huge bird at 40 lbs !

 

[greybeard]

I'll take the kind you drink.......

 

[M.Magis]

40 lbs?

 

[TCRanch]

40 lbs?

Don't know if he used a scale. And I know nothing about wild turkeys, other than they're a nuisance, but it was heavier than a feed bucket when I picked it up, which weighs 33 lbs.