I had an encounter with this bird Saturday morning and let him walk. There were 3 birds rolling together and I wanted to try and double with my wife. We got on the same ridge that afternoon and they didn't let us down. The first hour was quiet and then a hammering triple gobble unexpectedly shattered the silence! They were coming from behind us to our right. Laura got her gun shouldered just as they gobbled again maybe fifty yards away. They came into view about ten yards from the DSD flock and her bird went straight to the Jake. His head transitioned to solid red faster than I have ever seen as he raised it high above the Jake decoy. Normally I would have enjoyed the beating about to take place but instead I whispered "whenever your ready". Maybe .001 second later the magnum blend was on its way!! She back flipped him where he stood and I pulled my gun from my lap and rolled one of the other 2 as they were exiting stage left!! Her Gobbler is like none I've ever seen until searching here ten minutes ago! They claim Montana has only introduced Merriams but I've seen more variety in birds here than the Rios I grew up hunting.
(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd263/NWwaterfowler/null_zps3a4b2a05.jpg)
(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd263/NWwaterfowler/null_zpsf87002ce.jpg)
(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd263/NWwaterfowler/null_zps5666fa72.jpg)
That's a cool looking bird. Congrats to both of you! :icon_thumright:
congrats! wings almost look fake with them all black like that
Sweet!!
Great Job and a super unique bird.
Neat lookin bird. Congrats!
Very cool looking bird. Congrats...
congrats very cool
Congrats, way cool!
Very Nice!
Nice double. Nice rare gobbler.
Man, that is a super cool gobbler, congrats on y'all's double!
Neat turkey I'd love to go west and turkey hunt sometime
Sweet! I killed a black winged eastern years ago. That bird is beautiful. Congrats to you both.
beautiful bird
congrats to you both
Wall hanger for sure! Congrats
:icon_thumright:
Absolutely stunning !!!!
Congrats!! :icon_thumright:
Awesome bird. I killed an Eastern with all black wings a few weeks ago. Get that baby mounted!!!
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Very cool bird...
Never heard of a melanistic turkey before... But I guess you just proved they exist.
Very nice! A black winged bird is on my wish list...
mudhen
Thats a beautiful turkey. Congrats,
Joe
Thanks fellas! I kept the wings/ tail. I've got them drying now. I'll put something nice together for her with this bird. We already have her first long beard mounted in full strut which is enough mounted turkeys for now!