Anyone ever seen an albino Turkey? I got one in my yard!

[elusivecrappiecatcher]

Yesterday while I went by the house I will be moveing in on july 15 I noticed a flock of turkeys in the backyard(about 15 of them). And I also noticed a white one. Although I have never seen or heard of an albino I saw one. The neibor guy says he has been around for awhile. Now I didn't have my digital camera so I don't have a pic, but when I see him again I will get some pics. Also Since I am a turkey hunter is it legal to shoot an albino or should I leave it alone?

[CornPirateKiller]

It all depends on whether it is actually a true albino wild turkey or if it is a domestic farm turkey that escaped and joined the flock. My brother had a group of turkeys feeding out of his bird feeder a few years back that were mixed. Some were all white, some were wild colored, and some were half and half. We contacted the DNR and a CO came out and checked them out and told us that any turkey with white on it could be considered a domestic bird and we were free to shoot them without a license. They didn't want the domestics mixing with the wild birds. We staked them out but two other neighbors got to them first so we didn't harvest any. I'd check with the DNR personally, though. Get the official word before you go after it.

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Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

[Borch]

Yes there are actually albino wild turkeys. They are rare. But it is one of many mutations that turkeys can have. I don't believe that it is illegal to shoot any albino game animal in MN. But I don't have a rule book in front of me.

[Borch]

I believe you're referncing the blonde phase of black bear. One which was particularly blonde was spotted 3-4 years ago. It made the news throughout MN and was captured and move to an area with no hunting pressure. There might have been an Albino then to that I just can't remember or never heard of then.

From a pure biological management perspecteive Albino deer, bear and other game should be weeded out of the gene pool rather than be protected. There's a reason why you don't see many Albino turkeys reach maturity. They taste good and stick out like a sore thumb most of the year.

Next thing you know we won't be able to shoot unicorns.

[This message has been edited by Borch (edited 06-19-2003).]

[elusivecrappiecatcher]

Oh it was a true albino alright! Pink eyes and all! Got confermation from the DNR its alright to shoot. That sucker is gonna be a full body mount when I get em!

[Sand Burr]

You can not shoot an albino bear. One was spotted in I think 1998.

[simplefish]

I have never seen an albino turkey. I have seen pics of albino deer and seen ones that were crossed, or "piebald" I think it's called. When you get the pics could ya' post 'em, it would be intersting to see what one looked like. From what I understand, the only differance between albinism and "normal" is a recessed gene. And that both parents have to carry/or lack the gene/trait though neither one has to be albino. Kinda' interesting.

[elusivecrappiecatcher]

Yea I will be glad to post them. I move in on july 15 and when he comes through I will snap some pics!

[loc9fisher]

i worked on a ranch in wyoming a couple years ago, and the rancher had a huge flock of wild turkeys on his land, one of which was albino. i saw it a couple times and everything was white but the beard. beard was black, eyes were pink, bird was white. the rancher said the bird was about 4 or 5 years old, he had been watching it for years waiting for it to get huge. must have been big enough because he was taking it that fall. it was a strange bird though, more skittish than any of the other birds. you would see it one day and then you wouldn't see him for 3 or 4 days. the rest of the flock would come every day into his fields like clockwork.

don't know if it was a "true" albino, but it was quite the sight to see.

[Duck-o-holic]

Back in '90 my hunting partner shot an albino out of a large wild flock near Sturgis, SD. It was mostly white, but had a lot of brown on it. Was the only non-black bird in the flock. My buddy was in high school when he shot it, and couldn't afford to get it mounted... but I think he regrets that now

Duck-o-holic