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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: RutnNStrutn on April 04, 2011, 11:27:49 PM

Title: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 04, 2011, 11:27:49 PM
I keep seeing posts about 24 & 25 pound Tennessee gobblers, and this has been going on for quite a few years now. What makes Tennessee turks so big??? ???
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: bird on April 04, 2011, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: RutnNStrutn on April 04, 2011, 11:27:49 PM
I keep seeing posts about 24 & 25 pound Tennessee gobblers, and this has been going on for quite a few years now. What makes Tennessee turks so big??? ???

Must be the water coming from the streams of God's Country.  One thing Iowa has always been know for is big ol' turks and brute deer cuz of the "corn fed" saying but I will have to say the largest bird I have ever taken didn't come from Iowa but came from Tennessee.  I was just amazed at the size of the fat hog!

bird
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: ILIKEHEVI-13 on April 05, 2011, 06:10:57 AM
They do have some big birds for sure.  Speaking of big birds, check out this 28lb bird from MO.  You can tell he's big when he first comes in the field and is on the video. 

I converted the kilos on the scale on the left from 12.75 kg to lbs and came up with 28lbs.  Then I watched it again and the scale on lbs is 28 and then jumps to 32lbs on the printed numbers. 

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8o3Ho93-8cw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: jwhunter on April 05, 2011, 10:03:29 AM
i dont know where these guys are killing birds that are that big. ours are 16-18 lbs in southern tennessee. i wonder if their scales are off! lol :laugh:
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: Spring_Woods on April 05, 2011, 10:07:30 AM
Kentucky has abnormally large sized birds as well.
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: Hognutz on April 05, 2011, 10:14:25 AM
25#-28# birds are not uncommon in Wi., either. Especially in the south and the western areas. Not so much in the nothern part of the state. But you do find an occassional big bird up there, as well. Mike
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: magicman on April 05, 2011, 03:37:42 PM
Quote from: jwhunter on April 05, 2011, 10:03:29 AM
i dont know where these guys are killing birds that are that big. ours are 16-18 lbs in southern tennessee. i wonder if their scales are off! lol :laugh:

I'm from East Tennessee and we see birds at a pretty consistant 20 lbs( give or take a pound). I've seen jakes taken that weigh that. First bird I ever harvested was a jake that weighed 17 pounds in Rutherford county.
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: TnTurk on April 05, 2011, 03:42:08 PM
I've taken several in the 23 to 25 pound range, but most mature gobblers are  round 19 to 21 pounds.
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: redarrow on April 05, 2011, 04:11:50 PM
Grits ,greens,biscuit and gravy.
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: BigHooks on April 05, 2011, 04:18:39 PM
I killed a nice bird two years ago here in Tenn. U mite of seen the fan mount it weighted 28 lbs 3 oz. 11.5 beard an 1 3/4 spurs thats the biggest one I've kill.
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: heathwesley on April 05, 2011, 04:21:57 PM
I am in Central Illinois and it is common to kill birds weighing in the mid 20's - That steady diet of corn and beans may contrbute to that. 
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: Ol'Mossy on April 05, 2011, 04:32:00 PM
We're lucky if we get any above 22 lbs in Pa
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: Hognutz on April 05, 2011, 06:10:26 PM
Are you ridin' them or eating them??
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: BigHooks on April 05, 2011, 06:14:44 PM
which ever comes first..
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: mason0366 on April 05, 2011, 07:39:46 PM
Quote from: Spring_Woods on April 05, 2011, 10:07:30 AM
Kentucky has abnormally large sized birds as well.


Sssshhhhhsss what birds!!!
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: OLE RASPY on April 05, 2011, 08:20:00 PM
Quote from: mason0366 on April 05, 2011, 07:39:46 PM
Quote from: Spring_Woods on April 05, 2011, 10:07:30 AM
Kentucky has abnormally large sized birds as well.


Sssshhhhhsss what birds!!!
:icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: Crappiepro on April 05, 2011, 08:25:21 PM
Indiana has big birds too. I have a 26# full body mount and a 27# half strut on a limb at the taxidermist right now. the 26# was killed 2 years ago and the 27 was last years bird. I think they're everywhere LOL
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: cannonball on April 05, 2011, 09:36:08 PM
Quote from: redarrow on April 05, 2011, 04:11:50 PM
Grits ,greens,biscuit and gravy.

You beat me to the biscuits and gravy comment, lol.
Title: Re: Why are Tennesse gobblers so big?
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 06, 2011, 02:00:55 AM
 :lol: Maybe I need to start putting out some grits, greens, biscuits and gravy for these Osceolas!!! ;D :TooFunny: