The killer turkeys are getting BOLD!

[teejk]

My dad tells me that the breast meat is very good, though stronger flavored than store bought, and the rest is basically dog food.

Turkey season opens in Nov here and rifles are among the legal means. I have a .17HMR that is a tack driver and would be perfect for the job, I just haven't decided whether or not to take one yet. If I do, it will be back in the property somewhere, not near the house. I actually like having them around and don't want to run them off. I have a couple of designated areas that I feed them in where I don't care about the scratching, I toss probably a pound of corn out each day. I'm hoping to get them comfortable enough that they'll come running when they see me throw the corn, the last few days I've waited until they've shown up to do it so they'd see it happen.

They were around all through the Spring season this year also. I watched them and even grabbed the rifle once but, never wanted one badly enough to risk running them off. There's a BIG Thom that we see occasionally, his beard is like 2" off the ground. I watched him puffed up and strutting along the fence line one morning, that was a real sight to see, they're beautiful birds when they do that.

I don't find the breast meat to be particularly stronger in flavor but the meat is certainly "coarser" in texture (not the "mush" that has been bred into their domestic cousins). As for the legs and thighs, a lot of meat but also a lot of tendons and tough (we have a huge flock here and never know where I'll see it...they put on a lot of miles). Good for a soup that you will have simmering for hours (not a quick meal). I have a combination pressure cooker/smoker that reduces the time a lot.

 

[DrRod]

Yes, wild turkey is a safe distance from domestic turkey. I think it fair to say we are spoiled with light, tender meat. But IMHO, nothing is worse than goose -- wild or tame. Tough, heavy, dark, oily, strong tasting meat with no redeeming value. Any time someone says they are going to try goose for Christmas out of a sense of nostalgic tradition I always tell them to have a backup turkey, ham, meatloaf, etc. as no one will like the goose. Easy to see why turkey has taken over as the dish of choice.

 

[check]

I don't find the breast meat to be particularly stronger in flavor but the meat is certainly "coarser" in texture (not the "mush" that has been bred into their domestic cousins). As for the legs and thighs, a lot of meat but also a lot of tendons and tough (we have a huge flock here and never know where I'll see it...they put on a lot of miles). Good for a soup that you will have simmering for hours (not a quick meal). I have a combination pressure cooker/smoker that reduces the time a lot.

OK, that does it. Turkey season starts October 11 here in Ontario. Why is there never a hunter around when you need one?

 

[STx]

OK, that does it. Turkey season starts October 11 here in Ontario. Why is there never a hunter around when you need one?

Is there some restriction in Canada that prevents you from hunting them yourself? I'm asking seriously, I don't know the rules there.

 

[check]

Is there some restriction in Canada that prevents you from hunting them yourself? I'm asking seriously, I don't know the rules there.

Yes - you need a gun!

 

[teejk]

Yes, wild turkey is a safe distance from domestic turkey. I think it fair to say we are spoiled with light, tender meat. But IMHO, nothing is worse than goose -- wild or tame. Tough, heavy, dark, oily, strong tasting meat with no redeeming value. Any time someone says they are going to try goose for Christmas out of a sense of nostalgic tradition I always tell them to have a backup turkey, ham, meatloaf, etc. as no one will like the goose. Easy to see why turkey has taken over as the dish of choice.

I like goose but it is definitely a "low and slow" cooking process. Tame goose is very greasy and requires some effort to get it on the table. Wild goose (at least the Canada variety) presents the opposite problem...the meat is very dry and requires some effort as well to make a meal (I smoke mine). Like turkeys I guess being penned in and fed with little exercise will produce different meat than the wild varieties that have to fly/walk miles in order to get their bellies full.

 

[ovrszd]

I am not a hunter, but isn't it illegal to kill a wild turkey with a rifle? One round to the head would be a preferred method if you are good enough.
Time for a tale about that. When I was about 15 my mother wanted me to kill a rooster for her to make some soup. "Shoot it in the head" she says. Well I take my Dad's .22 out fully loaded with 15 rounds and start trying to hit that rooster in the head. After using up all the rounds, I came in and got a fresh box of shell and reloaded. Every shot was cutting feathers from that chicken but just not doing the job. Finally after about 25 shots, I got one in the head.
When my mother was cleaning him, she showed me his neck which had about a dozen bullet burns all over it. Not a one broke the hide but came close enough to put a black mark on the skin.
IF you have ever watched a chicken walk, their head is moving back and forth with each step which makes for a difficult target especially with open sights.

I'm not a hunter either. I'm a provider.

Maybe try the head shot when they aren't walking.

 

[ovrszd]

Dog food! But I like The dark meat best on a domestic turkey. Too bad. Maybe some taste better than others depending upon where they grow up?

So I tell you they are good. Someone else tells you their Dad says they ain't and you go with that. Maybe go to town and buy a fatted bird then. Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

[STx]

Yes, wild turkey is a safe distance from domestic turkey. I think it fair to say we are spoiled with light, tender meat. But IMHO, nothing is worse than goose -- wild or tame. Tough, heavy, dark, oily, strong tasting meat with no redeeming value. Any time someone says they are going to try goose for Christmas out of a sense of nostalgic tradition I always tell them to have a backup turkey, ham, meatloaf, etc. as no one will like the goose. Easy to see why turkey has taken over as the dish of choice.

I shot a Specklebelly one year that we had for Christmas Dinner, it was delicious. I agree that domestic, snows and Canadas are pretty nasty.

 

[check]

So I tell you they are good. Someone else tells you their Dad says they ain't and you go with that. Maybe go to town and buy a fatted bird then. Happy Thanksgiving!!

No way! I'm waiting for more votes, and the trend seems to be leaning toward "wild is good". Anyone else want to chime in?