I called in a tom in late Apr. at mid day. I had only got a loud cluck twice in response to two calls from directly across a rolling field. He was maybe 60 yds. away, but I could not see him. He circled around me and came in silently at 25 yds. from my left shoulder, looking straight my direction. I was hoping he would go to my decoy to give me a chance to get my gun up his way. But, I was hesitant when I first saw him. The bird had a full red head, with red and blond feather colorations, which confused me, since I was expecting black and dark brown colors. My indecision in not knowing whether it was a hen or tom at first sight caused me to not be in shooting position. I then saw a BLOND beard approx. 8" long., not black. The tom walked to within 7 feet of me, stared me right in the eyeballs, which seemed an eternity, started putting, running, and flew into the trees. How rare are these red or blond color phases? Did I miss my big chance, once in a lifetime bird? Tony!

full body mount on that sucker!

Full body mount it will be, if I ever see it again! But how rare is the red/blond color phase tom? Anyone?

im going to say pretty rare considering iv never even heard of one lol[8D]

Why didn't you shoot him?

Confused...I thought he was a hen at first due to the light colorations. He was only 25 yds. from me, coming straight at me. I was waiting for him to go toward my decoy, as a distraction, so I could mount my gun. When I saw his beard on a profile, he was 15 yds. I could not move without being seen. I wish now I had rushed a shot when he was 7 feet straight in front of me...I am a dummy! A turkey hunting a turkey! I have a dream for next year, though.......