I just like to share my hunt that took place here in my state of NJ.In the fall of 2015 while bow hunting I came across a Turkey that had silver of gray wings, I have saw a few all smoke hens over the last years but not a bird with just the wings being gray. Last week while scouting my areas there was a flock of birds in a field and in the mix was the silver winged bird, my mind was made up at that point that my season opener was to try and get this bird. Sunday afternoon I went out to my spot to see if and Turkeys were in the field at 5:30 or so the silver winged Tom came out with a Hen, I glassed them till dark and watched where they went into a corner of the field to roost for the night. Monday morning could not come soon enough as my hopes were high to get a shot at the Bird in the morning. At 5:00am I was in my spot with my bow in hand set up close to where I thought the Tom might be, the sky got light and I made a fly down cackle and the Tom sounded off on the roost, within seconds I heard him pitch down and he gobbled hard. I hit my slate pot call with a few soft clucks and waited for a response, after a 5 min. silence the head of the Tom was in sight he was alone and looking for his hen. I had no decoys out and don't hunt out of a blind I had great cover and was ready for the bird to get within shooting range, he came in silent and was aware something might be wrong but he kept coming at 20 yards I drew my bow on him but he kept moving closer, now at 15 yards he was straight in front of me and I stopped him with a yelp from my mouth call and released the arrow which found it mark and the bird went down fast and hard. After I walked up to the Tom and took a moment to reflect what a great thing we as hunters have to be able to hunt these beautiful birds. I was moved to say the least looking at this one of a kind Turkey. After 35 seasons of hunting Wild turkeys I'm happy to have the one that will get mounted and be displayed proudly in my home. here is what the Tom looks like below.
here is the Picture
Awesome hunt and a awesome turkey. Congratulations
Awesome bird. Congrats. Make sure you send him to a reputable turkey taxidermist. I can't wait to see the mount.
Quote from: eorlando on April 26, 2016, 08:00:21 AM
Awesome bird. Congrats. Make sure you send him to a reputable turkey taxidermist. I can't wait to see the mount.
In my freezer and then off to Hazle Creek.
That is a beautiful bird. Congrats
Beautiful bird! Cally will be pleased to mount that one.
Congrats! Never seen one like that. Very cool looking. :icon_thumright:
Awesome. I've never seen one. Very cool.
Now that's a new one for me! Congrats on a beautiful bird!
Here is another picture where you can see that the fantail also has feathers with gray on them. Hes is a good representation of a solid 3 year old bird.
Congrats on a bird of a lifetime! :icon_thumright:
Nice Congratulations!
Congratulations on an awesome gobbler!
I spoke with my local f&g biologist and he has never came across seeing a smoked winged turkey, I'm hoping someone on here can tell me more about the genetics or if they ever witnessed anything like it.
I shot one just like it 2 years ago got a flying mount done with it
I would love to see a pic of it if you don't mind sharing, I bet that mount looks amazing.
Congratulations on a unique trophy :icon_thumright:
That's an awesome thunder chicken. Congrats.
That is a beautiful bird!
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What an awesome looking bird!! Any turkey is beautiful but that is simply amazing!! Congrats!! Please keep us in the loop with a pic of the mount!!
I will definitely post the Bird when I get him back, such a rare looking turkey with pictures for all to see is what this site is all about, we all have a passion and that passion is hunting wild turkeys and all that goes with it. We all should give thanks to the NWTF and any of your state local turkey chapters.
No blinds. No decoys. With a bow.
You're the freaking man.
Quote from: Ol timer on April 26, 2016, 02:38:53 PM
I would love to see a pic of it if you don't mind sharing, I bet that mount looks amazing.
yes sir ol timer ver cool bird I posted the mount in a new thread for ya...(bird I got 2 years ago unique wings) is the title
Beautiful bird. Congratulations!
Nice nice nice!
Very, very cool! Congratulations and as said please keep us posted on pictures of the mount.
Wow. Beautiful bird! Congrats!
Awesome!! Congrats!! Look forward to seeing the mount.
Very neat bird , congrats!
Beautiful bird. Much respect for an old school bow bird. That's taking it to a very high level.
Thanks everyone for all the responses, By far a special bird and one thing about turkey hunting you never know what your going to get out of the chocolate box, that's what makes it exciting.
Very cool bird. Congrats
Congratulations on a great hunt and a beautiful trophy. Found an article in Outdoor Life on a similar bird taken in Virginia in 2008.
http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/strut-zone/2008/05/mystery-gobbler
Beautiful!!!
Congrats on the awesome beautiful bird!
StickBow98.Thank you for taking the time to read my post and remembering about the article and sharing it with us. Its great when you can get any information on any abnormal animal, like my OP 35 seasons of hunting turkeys and 46 years of general overall hunting since the age of 14 and Never saw anything like what I have know, I feel we are all blessed when we harvest any wild animal but to have one that stands out from the rest is priceless.
I don't get to hung up on numbers when it comes to scoring. I don't hunt just to kill a trophy its great when it happens however, but here are the birds NWTF scoring #69.5
Man that is one pretty bird. One to mount for sure. If you find out anything more about it please share with us!
beautiful bird! what pose are you thinking of getting? I think flying would show it off well
unique birds are always a cool trophy, it was awesome that you were able to target him and connect. Last year I killed a bird with double spurs on both legs but I knew nothing about them until he was dead, honestly i didnt even notice for the first 10min or so when I went to take a picture of the spurs for a buddy that I noticed the small secondary spurs.
If i had the extra wall space i agree the flying bird mount would represent him the best. Dirt Nap posted one like mine also he got it done flying and looks outstanding. i wish i had a vaulted ceiling to go that route but decided to go the way he first came into view, this is what im going with.
Nice mount.
Beautiful bird.
Your welcome, Ol Timer. I agree with what you said 100%, and think you summed it up perfectly. :icon_thumright:
Folks I not sure what to think what is going on in my State of NJ this year but I got a text from a great hunting friend just now and look at what he sent me a beautiful Melanistic black.What a crazy start to our season here. Check this out.
Wow... very cool!
Awesome. That one would be costing me some $ visiting the taxidermist.
Beautiful Bird. congrats
Congrats to you on a classic hunt and a gorgeous gobbler!! :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Please post up pics when you get him back from the taxidermist.
Thanks for all the fine compliments guys. I have been wrestling all week with poses and taxidermist, and decided I will be going with Mike at Blackwing Turkeys. I just like everything that he does his artestry is paying great attention to detail and that is hard to find with others, so off to mike it will go. I will post the Turkey in the future.
Heck of a cool looking bird, congrats!
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Well here is a update to my 2016 Spring Turkey I sent to Blackwing Turkeys, Mike sent me my Eastern and when I uncrated it I was taken right back to the morning of April 25. To anyone that never had a Turkey mounted its a must have, I waited 30 years to get that one special bird done up, my family welcomed him in and he now has a new roost. I built my own custom table for him to be displayed. I will get a few better pictures in the sun but for today ill let you folks get a peek at one.
I saw 2 last year in Jefferson NJ. Been at it since the 80s n I've never seen one hunting much lass had a chance at one. Congrats brother.
People tell me south jersey has a bunch but I've never seen em cause I don't go there
Very nice!!