Game Stalker

With posts and scores from successful turkey hunters and the spring turkey contest currently running, I went to the NWTF site and began to browse the records. In the overall scoring there, a number of 24 lb. birds are listed along w/ one weighing 27.5 lbs.
I remember a deer hunt a friend and myself were doing. We were both posted facing some woods and were about 80 yds apart. We heard what sounded like a deer coming to the edge of the wooded/thick brushy cover. To both our amazement, it wasn't a deer, but a very robust turkey, the size of which neither of us had seen before. Once the bird stepped from cover, it quickly looked left, right and began running forward between us. It ran perhaps 35 yds. and could barely attain flight due to its size/weight. Eventually it got airborn but wasn't able to attain much elevation. It flew across a road, barely missing a motorist. I don't even recall if the turkey could have legally been taken. What I'm wondering is what this turkey might have weighed, though all I can do is wonder. Has anyone here encountered turkey so heavy they could barely attain flight. I think this bird was a freak of nature and doubt I will encounter another like it. My memory of it is still quite vivid, even after 20 plus years . All responses greatly appreciated.

maytom

That must of been a cool sight to see!! I only took one bird that weighed a little over 23 lbs. years ago. Most were in the 16-21 range. Actually, the weight of a bird doesn't impress me as much as his hardware: Beard and Spurs!!!

Adrian J Hare

I'm the same Good Ol Maytom ( how ya doing buddy ) it seems to me that the last few years the weight of birds seem to be going up, but then again in Ontario you do not have check stations so it seems weight guessing is out by 5-10 lbs here lol.


Beard and Spurs for me too.

maytom

Long time no see BT!!! Still hanging in there, my woodshop is almost back to snuff. Will be starting on those displays again shortly. Long time since I was involved with that.

Adrian J Hare

Good to hear buddy, I'm just about 6 times more busy then I used too. Quit all guiding and my part time business building took off and now I don't have much time for hunting in May as everyone wants projects done yesterday. Somehow I got to get this changed around lol. Good to see your getting settled, you were a happy guy in the wood shop ...

jmedenf

I've taken quite a few toms over the 20 lbs mark. Several that were 22-23 lbs, and one that was 25 lbs. I hunt in areas where there is plenty of corn and soybean fields around, so I think it might just be the quality of the grains they are eating.

Phil from Maine

A guy that was involved with the turkey stocking up here told me that a crop full of sunflower seeds and give a bird an extra 5lbs. While I can not say if it is true or not this guy knows turkeys.