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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: Magdump on January 16, 2020, 06:55:22 PM

Title: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Magdump on January 16, 2020, 06:55:22 PM
So let me state right up front that i am still kinda new to turkey hunting so please bear with me as i am still learning a lot very fast.

So last fall i hunted at a friends farm having never hunted fall birds before.  I tried to find a flock to charge into and then call back in but no luck finding any birds like that. 

But it worked out anyway because Steve (my farmer friend) had a cow die in a field and he called me and let me know that the turkeys were working it over pretty hard.   I thought that was weird as everything i had read and researched said turkeys ate bugs and seeds and whatnot, not animals.  What do i know, i am a beginner still.

Anyhow, i set up next morning before sunrise in the edge of the woods about 30 yards from the dead milker.   Sunrise comes and sure enough, here come the turkeys.  Circling lower and lower.  I was so excited but made myself wait until one was on the ground so i would get a good clean shot.

Well, finally a big hen (no beard or spurs that i could see) landed and started eating the cow.  I made a great shot, it tipped over and the rest scattered.

When i examined it, it seemed about what i would imagine a hen should be in size but holy cow did it smell bad!  I think it was one of those melanistic turkeys because she was a bit darker than the hen pictures i have seen on the internet. 

Anyway, checked it in, tagged it and took it home and the smell when i dressed it out almost killed me!  Worse, it smelled awful in the oven and tasted even worse!

Got pretty sick after eating what little i could choke down too.

Is this a normal thing for fall turkeys or was my hen diseased or something?

Any thoughts very much appreciated as if this is normal, i am never hunting fall turkeys again!

Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Hobbes on January 16, 2020, 07:11:52 PM
I'm a little slow on some days so this took me a second or two.  I'm not sure I can stomach supper tonight after thinking about it.  (My barfing emoji doesn't work)
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: fallhnt on January 16, 2020, 07:21:50 PM
You shot a spring turkey in fall. That's why it tastes like chit.

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Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: RossAnderson on January 16, 2020, 07:24:32 PM
Yeah I don't know if I read this right or not or if I'm just takin this the wrong way but sounds like to me you shot yourself a turkey vulture.


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Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: KentuckyHeadhunter on January 16, 2020, 07:31:00 PM
And then I shot a coyote that looked like a chihuahua but tasted like bald eagle. 
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Harty on January 16, 2020, 07:33:48 PM
Quote from: RossAnderson on January 16, 2020, 07:24:32 PM
Yeah I don't know if I read this right or not or if I'm just takin this the wrong way but sounds like to me you shot yourself a turkey vulture.


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Yup, my thoughts also before I got down to you're thread Ross. Got any pics Mag?
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: HookedonHooks on January 16, 2020, 07:36:09 PM
There's no way this isn't a troll thread...

If not, we're laughing at you, not with you.
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: KentuckyHeadhunter on January 16, 2020, 07:36:54 PM
When I moved into my new neighborhood my neighbor told me she saw 20 turkeys at the end of the street.  I drove up there and it was about 9 turkey vultures feasting on a squished possum. 
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Kylongspur88 on January 16, 2020, 07:58:17 PM
I needed a good laugh today. Just wrap em in bacon and roll on.
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: 1iagobblergetter on January 16, 2020, 08:03:01 PM
Quote from: HookedonHooks on January 16, 2020, 07:36:09 PM
There's no way this isn't a troll thread...

If not, we're laughing at you, not with you.
I'm still laughing. Troll thread or not.. :TooFunny:
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: randy6471 on January 16, 2020, 08:08:15 PM
   No way! 

  But thanks....that's awesome!!

:TooFunny:
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Eddie12 on January 16, 2020, 08:15:51 PM
Ha Ha Bacon and butter all the way.


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Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: bbcoach on January 16, 2020, 09:06:28 PM
This is why most states don't allow you to kill hens in the spring.  If you were able to harvest a hen in the spring, with that smell and taste, they would lose tons of revenue during the fall season.  My recommendation is only shoot bearded birds!
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: tal on January 16, 2020, 09:08:52 PM
 If you lift a skunk up by the tail he can't spray you either.
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Greg Massey on January 16, 2020, 09:35:40 PM
Of all my years on Old Gobbler this smells so bad ... :newmascot:  :TooFunny:  For one time , i just don't know what to say ... But i will give you the 2020 award from Old Gobbler ... :emoticon-cartoon-012:
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: crow on January 16, 2020, 09:57:45 PM
Magdump, don't listen to the jealouse haters,

you shot a genuine mossy head, a bonafide trophy and should be proud of it.
the only down side as you already found out is they smell a little worse than regular easterns do.
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Spitten and drummen on January 16, 2020, 10:32:18 PM
I read this to my wife and we are sitting here crying we laughed so hard. You have gotta be kidding. Nice.
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Rzrbac on January 16, 2020, 11:03:02 PM
You didn't buy chance save the wing bones did you?  I've been looking for some hen wing bones.

Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: kytrkyhntr on January 16, 2020, 11:16:40 PM
Sir do you have a minute to discuss ProStaff opportunities?
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: wvmntnhick on January 17, 2020, 12:50:31 AM
Well, ummm, congratulations man. Good luck with all future endeavors.


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Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: GobbleNut on January 17, 2020, 08:34:42 AM
Yur problem is that you didn't cook it rite.  Ya gotta cook them circlin' fall hens like ya do them carps.  Ya cook 'em slow over a fire on a board fir at least 36 hours. After that, ya throws away that tarkey and ya eats the board! Deeeelishus!  Don't ya know nuthin?! How long ya bin at this here tarkey huntin' anywho?!
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: trkehunr93 on January 17, 2020, 11:07:19 AM
OK, I really hope this is a joke..... :TooFunny:
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: silent tom on January 17, 2020, 04:10:15 PM
We were hunting in Alabama one time with some guys we traded hunts with.
They didn't turkey hunt but came down to camp one night to hang out. 

The two guys went for a ride in their ranger that evening and came back telling us about all the turkeys that were roosted over some railroad tracks. 
Me and my buddy put a plan together and were pretty excited about the next morning. 

We slipped in well before daylight and used binoculars to find the birds in the trees. About the first good crack of light and we figured out we were sitting under about 20 buzzards.
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Greg Massey on January 17, 2020, 04:57:44 PM
Quote from: silent tom on January 17, 2020, 04:10:15 PM
We were hunting in Alabama one time with some guys we traded hunts with.
They didn't turkey hunt but came down to camp one night to hang out. 

The two guys went for a ride in their ranger that evening and came back telling us about all the turkeys that were roosted over some railroad tracks. 
Me and my buddy put a plan together and were pretty excited about the next morning. 

We slipped in well before daylight and used binoculars to find the birds in the trees. About the first good crack of light and we figured out we were sitting under about 20 buzzards.
:TooFunny:
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Mossberg90MN on January 18, 2020, 01:30:54 AM
Quote from: RossAnderson on January 16, 2020, 07:24:32 PM
Yeah I don't know if I read this right or not or if I'm just takin this the wrong way but sounds like to me you shot yourself a turkey vulture.


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I was thinking the very same thing! When he typed circling and coming down to eat the dead cow I thought... I've never seen a turkey fly in circles like basically a turkey vulture would.

If this isn't a joke I'm gonna have to say the person shot a turkey vulture. Like 100%
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Beards and Hooks on January 18, 2020, 07:38:21 AM
  Wow thats great magpump, did you atleast throw a Yelp at her? And if so how did she respond?
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: aclawrence on January 18, 2020, 08:18:14 AM
I was thinking those turkeys must be eating the maggots and then ahh....good one!


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Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: TauntoHawk on January 18, 2020, 11:28:18 AM
I think the best recipe for vulture is sliced thin eaten raw with a side of bleach to kill the bacteria

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Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: squidd on January 18, 2020, 06:52:56 PM
I wonder if Crow would taste any better???
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: captpete on January 19, 2020, 08:46:53 AM
Quote from: GobbleNut on January 17, 2020, 08:34:42 AM
Yur problem is that you didn't cook it rite.  Ya gotta cook them circlin' fall hens like ya do them carps.  Ya cook 'em slow over a fire on a board fir at least 36 hours. After that, ya throws away that tarkey and ya eats the board! Deeeelishus!  Don't ya know nuthin?! How long ya bin at this here tarkey huntin' anywho?!

GobbleNut has it right except he missed a couple steps. First you soak it in milk for 24 hours(it helps to remove the gamy taste), then boil the chit out of it for 3-4 hours(removes the rest of the gamy taste), then proceed like GobbleNut described.
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Sir-diealot on January 19, 2020, 04:40:26 PM
Quote from: captpete on January 19, 2020, 08:46:53 AM
Quote from: GobbleNut on January 17, 2020, 08:34:42 AM
Yur problem is that you didn't cook it rite.  Ya gotta cook them circlin' fall hens like ya do them carps.  Ya cook 'em slow over a fire on a board fir at least 36 hours. After that, ya throws away that tarkey and ya eats the board! Deeeelishus!  Don't ya know nuthin?! How long ya bin at this here tarkey huntin' anywho?!

GobbleNut has it right except he missed a couple steps. First you soak it in milk for 24 hours(it helps to remove the gamy taste), then boil the chit out of it for 3-4 hours(removes the rest of the gamy taste), then proceed like GobbleNut described.
I think you meant to say First you soak it in milk for 24 hours OUTDOORS
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: Spitten and drummen on January 19, 2020, 04:44:31 PM
Yummy.
Title: Re: Do fall turkeys smell and taste bad compared to spring?
Post by: wvmntnhick on January 19, 2020, 04:47:24 PM
Quote from: captpete on January 19, 2020, 08:46:53 AM
Quote from: GobbleNut on January 17, 2020, 08:34:42 AM
Yur problem is that you didn't cook it rite.  Ya gotta cook them circlin' fall hens like ya do them carps.  Ya cook 'em slow over a fire on a board fir at least 36 hours. After that, ya throws away that tarkey and ya eats the board! Deeeelishus!  Don't ya know nuthin?! How long ya bin at this here tarkey huntin' anywho?!

GobbleNut has it right except he missed a couple steps. First you soak it in milk for 24 hours(it helps to remove the gamy taste), then boil the chit out of it for 3-4 hours(removes the rest of the gamy taste), then proceed like GobbleNut described.
But not just any milk. Has to be deer milk. You can pick it up on the shelves of most 7-11's after midnight. That's when the shipments arrive. If you show up early your wasting your time. Wait too long and it'll be sold out.


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