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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: Gooserbat on April 25, 2023, 10:05:50 AM

Title: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Gooserbat on April 25, 2023, 10:05:50 AM
No big story just have a friend who's an outfitter in the panhandle and he was gracious enough to hook me up.

If you want on check out High Mesa Outfitters
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: JeffC on April 25, 2023, 12:28:09 PM
Nice Tom, Sam, love those white tail feathers. 
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: 2flyfish4 on April 25, 2023, 01:05:07 PM
Awesome!

Are they true merriams? Or more likely than not hybrids? Don't mean any disrespect by the question, just curious.

Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Tail Feathers on April 25, 2023, 01:22:52 PM
Congrats!
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: runngun on April 25, 2023, 01:31:39 PM
Awesome!!!! Congratulations on your bird!!! I have been fortunate enough to have hunted that area as well.  Nothing like seeing a group of Longbeards strutting in and seeing that one or two white fans glowing!!!! They're beautiful!!! I am planning on being up in the area around the 5th or 6th of May.

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Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Turkeybutt on April 25, 2023, 01:36:59 PM
Good Looking bird, Congratulations!
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: ncwoodsman on April 25, 2023, 01:45:16 PM
Congrats on a nice bird!
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Gooserbat on April 25, 2023, 02:46:14 PM
Quote from: 2flyfish4 on April 25, 2023, 01:05:07 PM
Awesome!



Are they true merriams? Or more likely than not hybrids? Don't mean any disrespect by the question, just curious.

True Merriam
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Muzzy61 on April 25, 2023, 03:10:37 PM
Congrats on a beautiful bird.
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: CAPTJJ on April 25, 2023, 03:28:04 PM
Very nice, good looking tom.
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Tom007 on April 25, 2023, 04:20:49 PM
Beauty Sam, congrats....
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: worth612000 on April 25, 2023, 05:00:34 PM
That is one nice looking bird. Coming from someone who's only hunted easterners
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Sir-diealot on April 25, 2023, 06:28:18 PM
Congratulations, Merriams and Gould's are my two most desired turkey. I figured that was the area before I looked, when I was supposed to go there a few years ago we were going to go for Rio's in the Central part of OK then shoot up to the Panhadle to try to get a Marriam's on public land. Still hope to make it there someday.
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Gooserbat on April 25, 2023, 06:37:13 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on April 25, 2023, 06:28:18 PM
Congratulations, Merriams and Gould's are my two most desired turkey. I figured that was the area before I looked, when I was supposed to go there a few years ago we were going to go for Rio's in the Central part of OK then shoot up to the Panhadle to try to get a Marriam's on public land. Still hope to make it there someday.

There's no Merriam's on public land in Oklahoma
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Sir-diealot on April 25, 2023, 06:45:05 PM
Did not know that. Must be somebody he knows, he lives there.

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Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Old Timer on April 25, 2023, 06:57:43 PM
Congrats! Glad you enjoyed your hunt.
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: zelmo1 on April 26, 2023, 07:32:58 AM
Awesome Sam. I am a little green with envy, lol. I will get my turn eventually. Congrats on a real trophy bro.  :drool: :drool: Z
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: chadly on April 26, 2023, 07:37:02 AM
Such a pretty bird.  Congrats.
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: FLGobstopper on April 26, 2023, 10:56:54 AM
Congrats that's pretty cool having that opportunity and connection. I didn't even know there were merriams in OK. Y'all have easterns as well don't you? So you could have your own little single state slam for fun. Of course it would take 3 years to complete but still cool to see and hunt them in different parts of the state.
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: 2flyfish4 on April 26, 2023, 12:06:41 PM
Quote from: FLGobstopper on April 26, 2023, 10:56:54 AM
Congrats that's pretty cool having that opportunity and connection. I didn't even know there were merriams in OK. Y'all have easterns as well don't you? So you could have your own little single state slam for fun. Of course it would take 3 years to complete but still cool to see and hunt them in different parts of the state.

2nd that, I hunt oklahoma quite a bit, will have to make same trip out west for a meriams.

Texas also has a small isolated population of merriams.
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: ElkTurkMan on April 26, 2023, 07:49:24 PM
Beautiful bird Congrats!!!
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: PalmettoRon on April 26, 2023, 08:15:35 PM
Congratulations! I've hunted that area several times in the far west panhandle of OK. How about a smile next time to go along with that gorgeous bird.
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: GobbleNut on April 26, 2023, 11:18:17 PM
Although I do believe that the potential for Merriams-Rio hybridization exists in that area, I also believe that turkey looks like a full-blooded Merriams.  The tell-tale sign is the out-of-place, exposed rump feather at the base of the tale that shows no signs of the copper/gold coloration that is typical of Rios and Rio hybrids.  Beautiful gobbler, regardless, Sam!
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: runngun on April 26, 2023, 11:54:51 PM
I was looking forward to Gobblenut's response.  And as always, you are spot on!!!

Have a good one, Bo

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Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Tunaguy on April 27, 2023, 09:36:35 AM
Congratulations!
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: the Ward on April 27, 2023, 10:51:35 AM
Congrats on a fine bird! My son has been bugging me about going on a hunt somewhere, might
check them out.
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: 2flyfish4 on May 15, 2023, 03:44:34 PM
Might be to late, but the state is doing g a study and requesting tissue samples.

(https://i.postimg.cc/fT3dxZCH/Screenshot-20230515-144254-Instagram.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYj7jKLP)
Title: Re: Oklahoma Merriam
Post by: Gooserbat on May 15, 2023, 11:20:24 PM
Quote from: 2flyfish4 on May 15, 2023, 03:44:34 PM
Might be to late, but the state is doing g a study and requesting tissue samples.

(https://i.postimg.cc/fT3dxZCH/Screenshot-20230515-144254-Instagram.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYj7jKLP)

I sent one in to the great pagan turkey muckety mucks.