2025 Turkey harvest pics

[Esteban]

Idaho bird. 4 Jake’s opening morning. Roosted some more in a different spot and got 4 toms in the decoys.
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15 yards
Rage X-treme broadheads
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Smoked breast
Meat Church Texas Sugar

That looks delicious! Also pretty crazy that second turkey behind you never took off...I guess that's what happens when you shoot a bow eh?

 

[roosiebull]

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Montana bird! Franchi 12 gauge #9 TSS

He came in completely quiet behind me and a buddy. Some fancy maneuvering got me a shot at 15 yds as he was leaving haha!

As far as I know it’s a Merriams but he does have really brown tips and judging by pics almost looks more like a Rio? I’ve never shot anything other than Merriams so really don’t know.. Is there any sure fire way of telling the difference??

It certainly looks like a Rio. I know that they both live in some areas. Southern Oregon I would see both, some pockets of birds were almost 50/50 rios and merriams. Regardless, sounds like a fun hunt and great bird

 

[wyogoat]

Got Wyoming done today with a solid Merriam. Pulled in his two hens and he had to follow. They didn’t want a lot of calling today and found that out the hard way…
And had to get a second pic in the snow on the hike out.

 

[Actionsqueak]

First turkey. Called him in off private!

 

[TheGrayRider]

My older brother and I got to hunt together for a week in South Dakota. His first Merriam’s jake last week. Happy hunting to all, TheGrayRider.

 

[butcherboy]

Wish I would have taken some pictures when I cooked up my daughter’s bird this past Friday. Cut the breast into cubes and soaked in pickle juice for about an hour and a half. Dipped in milk and egg mixture then into seasoned flour. Fried in rendered pork fat. They were delicious and didn’t last long. I saved the legs and thighs to make a pot pie later.

 

[retrieverman]

I’ve only ever killed Rios at my place in NW Oklahoma, and I decided earlier this year I wanted to start hunting other sub species. I got on a lease in SE Oklahoma a couple months ago that has a decent population of easterns. I called this one in and was able to check an eastern off my hunting bucket list on opening evening last Wednesday.

 

[Jellymon1]

Tagged out in Washington over the weekend, public land. Tons of Turkeys around this year. 20 and 33yds. Stoeger 3500 12g shooting 3” long beard xr #6’s through a Carlson longbeard xr choke. Patterns almost too tight under 35yds. First time using a red dot, so much better.

 

[S.Clancy]

Good opening week.

 

[blazingangel09]

Me (boonie hat)
Weatherby Element Turkey 20 ga
Comp n choke turkey
Verdict #9 TSS
SIghtmark Core Shot
30 yards

Buddy (ball cap)
Weatherby Element Turkey 20 ga
Jeb's Headhunter
Verdict #9 TSS
SIghtmark Mini Shot
5 yards

 

[Carr5vols]

Got a question for someone who knows...going to be turkey hunting a new state this year and they require a head to be attached to the breast for transport...how in the world do you breast a bird and keep the head attached. All the other states i hunt you just breast it and chuck in cooler once tagged.

 

[TJudeB]

Me (boonie hat)
Weatherby Element Turkey 20 ga
Comp n choke turkey
Verdict #9 TSS
SIghtmark Core Shot
30 yards

Buddy (ball cap)
Weatherby Element Turkey 20 ga
Jeb's Headhunter
Verdict #9 TSS
SIghtmark Mini Shot
5 yards

The dude on the right is for sure a virgin....

 

[Jellymon1]

Got a question for someone who knows...going to be turkey hunting a new state this year and they require a head to be attached to the breast for transport...how in the world do you breast a bird and keep the head attached. All the other states i hunt you just breast it and chuck in cooler once tagged.

We leave a small section of skin attached to one breast which is attached to a strip of skin which includes the beard and head. Pull the feathers off that piece of skin, breast goes in one ziplock, head/skin/beard goes in another, tied tight to keep separated. Stupid rule.