I have hunted for a long time but have never seen an albino turkey in the wild before. But a friend of mine saw an albino hen the other day and sent me a great photo.
How Rare is an Albino Turkey?
Albino turkeys are incredibly rare, estimated to occur in only 1 out of every 10,000 to 20,000 birds. This makes them a truly unique and prized trophy for any turkey hunter.
Double-Bearded Albino Turkey: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter
In the realm of turkey hunting, a double-bearded gobbler is already a rare sight. But when that gobbler also happens to be albino, the odds become astronomical. Greg Cherne, a hunter from Texas experienced this extraordinary feat when he bagged a double-bearded albino turkey in South Dakota.
A Challenging Hunt with a Rewarding Outcome
Cherne’s journey to this remarkable trophy wasn’t without its challenges. After several near misses and moments of doubt, he persevered and ultimately succeeded in taking down the elusive “Ghost,” as the bird was aptly nicknamed.
A Rare Bird with a Potential World Record
The albino turkey’s unique coloration and double beard make it a potential candidate for a world record in the National Wild Turkey Federation’s non-typical scoring system. While the category for color-phased birds doesn’t currently exist, Cherne has applied for its inclusion and potential record-breaking status.
A Memory to Cherish and a Passion Ignited
For Cherne, the experience of hunting and capturing this extraordinary bird will undoubtedly be a cherished memory. It has also ignited a newfound passion for turkey hunting, leading him to pursue more adventures in the field.
Key Takeaways:
- Albino turkeys are incredibly rare, making them a prized trophy for hunters.
- Cherne’s double-bearded albino turkey is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
- The bird’s unique characteristics make it a potential world record candidate.
- The hunt serves as a testament to perseverance and the thrill of pursuing rare game.
Additional Resources:
- Game & Fish Magazine: https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/hunter-takes-rare-albino-turkey/472106
- Reddit Discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/theHunter/comments/st4kfv/first_time_seeing_an_albino_eastern_turkey_im/
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What is An Albino Animal?
For those who are unfamiliar with albino animals, one of the most common (and still rare) is an albino whitetail deer. Every couple of years in Michigan, someone spots one and grabs a photo like the one above. Back in 2021, an albino was spotted by several people in the community of Marquette.
In 2022, an albino squirrel was spotted in Macomb County, but what causes animals to become albino?
The pigment known as melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin, hair, scales, and eyes, is not produced by cells in albinos. When both parents carry the recessive gene, this is something that is genetically passed down, and when they mate, there’s a chance the child will turn albino.
What Can Be Born Albino?
Any animal and human can become albino if its parents have the recessive gene. So all mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians can be born albino.
A black bear was caught on a trail camera last year in the Upper Peninsula. These are not called albinos but become white the same way other mammals do with recessive genes. For centuries, tribes in British Columbia have called these bears “spirit bears,” and because of their abundance, they are also known as Kermode bears.