Favorite Turkey Species

[Brinkcalls]

What's your favorite turkey species? Whether for hunting, for looks, or otherwise.

Easterns are near and dear to my heart. A big boy coming through some early morning timber really gets the heart going... BUT

I'd love to get a Goulds. They look incredible.


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[PalmettoRon]

I'm being petty, but there are 2 species. Meleagris gallopavo and Meleagris ocellata.

Of the 5 subspecies of Meleagris gallopavo, I'd go with Goulds first and Merriams from a distance and Rios up close. A Rio up close and in the sun has so many bronzes and greens.

To hunt, hands down Southern swamp Easterns. They should be listed as a separate species as those boys are tough.

[davisd9]

Easterns, especially southeast Easterns.

[Greg Massey]

Merriam's and Rios as for the overall colors of the gobblers  ....

[jhoward11]

Merriam's for color, Rio's for their vocalization, and Easter's for their workability, Don't know about Osceola's...Yet

[guesswho]

I grew up on Osceolas so they get the nod, followed closely be Easterns.

[Brinkcalls]

I'm being petty, but there are 2 species. Meleagris gallopavo and Meleagris ocellata.

Of the 5 subspecies of Meleagris gallopavo, I'd go with Goulds first and Merriams from a distance and Rios up close. A Rio up close and in the sun has so many bronzes and greens.

To hunt, hands down Southern swamp Easterns. They should be listed as a separate species as those boys are tough.

Yes, correct! I sometimes space the distinction to our colorful peacock lookin ones to the south!  Unreal birds though!


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[Tom007]

Ridge Roamer Eastern's, but I love 'em all......

[Gooserbat]

Eastern

[ChiefBubba]

I'm coping out on this one but I just like turkeys. All of them. Just chasing them all. Bubba

[deerhunt1988]

I've killed plenty of each subspecies but the eastern has my heart. Nothing can compare to a big timber eastern's gobble and drumming. Especially larger framed birds in the hills. That being said, each subspecies has their own quirks that I enjoy. Rios and Merriam's, their tendency to gobble more at all times of day and after fly up in the evening. Which is also their major vulnerability. Osceolas, the terrain you chase them in is my favorite part.

[ChesterCopperpot]

I'd be fine to hunt mountain easterns from now till I croak.


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[turkey stew]

Easterns even though I would like to hunt the other species.

[greentrout]

All I know are Easterns, and that's enough. But man a good Florida Osceola is something that I want to chase after one day.

[Tail Feathers]

Got to love those hard gobbling and "come in from a mile away" Rios.