The Ghost Bird!

[hermiehunter]

What a way to end my season in NC! After nearly two years of history and sightings, I never thought the stars would align for me to get a chance at the ghost...But little did I know, Friday would be the day!

My buddy and I first seen this bird as a poult almost two years ago. Figured for the longest time it would turn out to be a hen, as most color phase turkeys are. Once he matured a little bit, we knew it was a gobbler. Last spring we had several opportunities on him as a Jake but had decided to let him mature.

Although we had heard reports from some locals this past fall that he was around, we had no confirmation. He didn't show up in the normal sighting spot at all prior to season. Until the day before our opener. We watched him strut with hens that day for over an hour. At that point, our hopes were back. He vanished after that Friday and hasn't been heard or seen again, until two days ago. Fortunately for me, I was able to capitalize on the opportunity!

He was a known 2-year old. 1" white Spurs. 9-1/4" beard, 17-1/2 pounds.

[Snoodsniper]

Haven't seen a wild bird with that much white. It's cool looking though. Congrats

[eorlando]

What an incredible bird. I sure hope you are mounting him. I know an incredible taxidermist in TN if you need one. He mounted my smoke phase Osceola. You can search my posts for pics of the mount.

[LI Outdoorsman]

Definitely a bird of a lifetime..hmmm..a few lifetimes!
Gonna make an awesome mount
Congrats

[ncturkey]

Congrats on taking the The Ghost. Hope you get him mounted. If you do get him mounted make sure you post a picture of him.

[Gooserbat]

Congrats, certainly is a cool tom

[ncturkey]

What an incredible bird. I sure hope you are mounting him. I know an incredible taxidermist in TN if you need one. He mounted my smoke phase Osceola. You can search my posts for pics of the mount.

I would like se a picture of that Smoke Phase Osceola Mount.

[taylorjones20]

That is awesome! Congrats!

[hermiehunter]

He's in the freezer right now. Planning to send him to Cally Morris @ Hazel Creek tomorrow! Gonna get a full strut mount. I'll definitely post pics.

Here's the last picture I took of him alive!

[LI Outdoorsman]

Wow that really is awesome.
You really show some great restraint in letting that bird grow and mature.
Most guys woulda shot him as a jake on first sight.

[DawgsFan1]

That is one really cool bird. Congrats!

[notsure]

Amazing bird!

[dutch@fx4]

That is a very cool bird ,I wonder if any of his young will be white ,you will have to keep a eye open come summer for some white poults ..that is one hunt to remember  Dutch

[Dr Juice]

That's an amazing bird. Congrats. I'm surprised he survived from predation for this length of time.

[tomstopper]

Awesome and exceptional bird. Beautiful. Congrats.....