Rare Turkeys: A Look at the Gould’s Wild Turkey and Other Unique Gobblers

The Gould’s Wild Turkey: A Recovery Story

The Gould’s wild turkey, once on the brink of extinction, is now experiencing a remarkable recovery. This subspecies, found primarily in southwest New Mexico, was listed as threatened in 1974 due to its limited range and uncertain population However, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, the Gould’s wild turkey population has rebounded, leading the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to propose its removal from the endangered and threatened species list

The recovery plan, initiated in 2017 focused on the Peloncillo Mountains, the turkey’s primary habitat. Through sustained field research and successful population augmentation, the plan achieved its goals paving the way for the delisting proposal.

Rare Turkeys in Mississippi: A Showcase of Uniqueness

In recent years, Mississippi, a sanctuary for turkey hunters, has harvested some incredibly uncommon birds. These gobblers have captured the attention of hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike with their unusual colors and genetic anomalies.

A One in 1,000 Gobbler: Bo Brown’s 2018 harvest in Copiah County was a stroke of luck. He encountered a smoke phase turkey, a rare pigment anomaly occurring in about one in 1,000 males.

An Albinotic Beauty: Ten-year-old Jack Faulkner’s 2020 youth turkey season was unforgettable. He bagged an albinotic turkey, a one in several thousand rarity, estimated to be 3 years old.

A White Turkey and Controversy: Hunter Waltman’s 2019 white turkey harvest, a bird with leucism sparked national controversy. Sportscaster Keith Olbermann’s call for “a living hell” for Waltman drew criticism and highlighted the emotional complexities surrounding rare wildlife harvests.

A Rust-Colored Rarity: Justin Hutton’s 2021 encounter with a red phase gobbler, also known as erythristic, was a testament to the wonders of nature. This genetic condition is so rare that there are no official statistics on its prevalence.

A Young Hunter’s Smoky Gobbler: Seven-year-old Brody Brock’s 2019 turkey season was a success story. After bagging his first jake and gobbler, he encountered a smoky gobbler and harvested it with a .410 shotgun.

These rare turkey stories highlight the diversity and resilience of these magnificent birds. Examples of the wonders of nature and the significance of conservation efforts include the Gould’s wild turkey, which is making a comeback, and the distinctive gobblers of Mississippi.

A one in 1,000 gobbler

Bo Brown harvested a rare turkey in Copiah County in 2018, but it almost didnt happen. Brown was setting up when he saw the turkey and it saw him at the same time.

The bird turned to run, but Brown fired three shots and the bird went down.

It was identified as a smoke phase turkey. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, one in every 100 hens are thought to be affected by the pigment anomaly, but more likely one in every 1,000 males.

This Mississippi white turkey drew the ire of Keith Olbermann

In 2019 Hunter Waltman of Kiln harvested a white turkey. Its feathers lacked pigment, but its beard and eyes were normal. It was determined to have a genetic condition known as leucism.

As wild as the bird was, the fallout was even wilder.

The controversy made national news and Olbermann was criticized for his action. He later apologized.

I Hunted an EXTREMELY RARE Turkey and didn’t even know it…

FAQ

What is the rare color of a turkey?

Light brown, dark brown, and brown are all commons. Leucistic is rare, Albino and Melanistic are very rare.

How rare is a black turkey?

According to the National Wild Turkey Federation, melanism is a rare genetic pigment mutation that makes a wild turkey produce only black feathers, even their wings. Some researchers estimate that it’s present in 1 in 50,000 wild turkeys.

What is the prettiest turkey breed?

Royal Palms Widely considered the “prettiest” of turkeys, it’s easy to see why homesteaders prefer raising the Royal Palm over other varieties. Justine of Les Farms (that’s her tom to the right!) says, “They are simply magnificent. The toms are quite a bit bigger than the hens and both can fly incredibly well.

How rare is a red phase turkey?

The anomaly may only occur in one out of thousands. “I’m fully pulling a number out of the air,” Butler said. “It’s so rare there are no statistics on it.” So, the chances of harvesting a smoke phase bird are extremely low, but Butler said the chance of encountering a bird like Hutton’s red phase is even lower.

Leave a Comment