Smokey gray color phase

[Cowboy]

Was wondering how many of you have seen a smokey gray color phase turkey? Been doing some reading on it and appears they are around 1 out of 100. More common than I thought. I have seen 2 in about 32 years of hunting. The most recent was in Western Tennessee few weeks ago.

[Gobble!]

Never seen one in 16 years of really paying attention.

[RossAnderson]

Seen my first one earlier this year riding around in Cades Cove. Gatlinburg, TN. It was a smoke phase/gray hen in a big flock. She stuck out like a sore thumb. Sure was pretty though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MISSISSIPPI Double beard]

I've seen quite a few fall and spring. Everyone I have seen during the spring season had a gobbler with them.

[mmorgan9812]

Seen my first one earlier this year riding around in Cades Cove. Gatlinburg, TN. It was a smoke phase/gray hen in a big flock. She stuck out like a sore thumb. Sure was pretty though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think I saw the same one... We go there all the time. I live about 45min from there

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[JeffC]

we had 2 that were hanging around here a few years ago, last time I saw her a fox was after her, people have reported there is still a couple in a local flock. Awesome looking bird.

[guesswho]

I've seen a couple in TN, but never in Fl, GA or Al.  I did find a feather several years ago in Bama that looked like it came of a smoke phase.

[Ol timer]

Took this Smoked phased wings Tom a few years ago.

[mmorgan9812]

Took this Smoked phased wings Tom a few years ago.

That's awesome!

Sent from my ASUS_P00J using Tapatalk

[Hook hanger]

Seen 2 in the wild one in Missouri and another in Kansas.

[turkey_slayer]

I've seen prob 10. Two were longbeards in the fall that were together. Could have legally killed one then but wanted to call one in gobbling. Never seen either nor heard of any being killed the following spring.

I was on a bird in Tennessee on a pretty steep mountain side. I kept noticing a white blob about 100 yards below me behind a blow down and for the longest time I kept thinking what the heck is that opossum digging for. Turns out the gobbler was with a smoke phased hen

[MK M GOBL]

Pretty rare around here, but have seen a couple of toms and hens. Never out hunting... I did watch 2 "Red" Phased Jakes last year, passed on them on the chance of seeing them as gobblers this year!


MK M GOBL

[Sir-diealot]

Lovett E. Williams, Jr. talked about the color phases in his book "Book of the Wild Turkey" it was pretty interesting to read about the different color phases and also how the beards could have different colors. Good book if you ever get the chance to pick it up.


Several color phases of the wild turkey are recognized. The red phase occurs mainly in southern Mississippi and can be described as a rusty, reddish color on the tail, wings, or most body feathers. The smoky-gray phase occurs throughout Mississippi and is mistakenly thought to be a partial domestic turkey. Smokey-gray turkeys, usually hens, are whitish grayish in color on parts or most of the body. They are not part domestic and do successfully reproduce. Another color phase seen infrequently is the black (melanistic) phase. These turkeys have no other colors, just black. The true albino, with a total absence of any color, is rare.

https://wildturkeyzone.com/wildturkey/species1.htm

[CALLM2U]

30+ years of turkey hunting and I've seen 1 smoke phased hen. 

It's one of my 'dream birds' though. 

[Cowboy]

Besides the one I saw in Tennessee, the only other one I saw was in Southern Missouri  back in the 90s. Also back in the late 80s or early 90s, my Grandpa shot a red phase gobbler one spring. It was a gorgeous bird as well.