North America is home to an array of wild turkey species, each with their own unique characteristics and habitats. In this blog post, we will explore the various wild turkey species found in North America and discuss the best hunting techniques for each.

Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris)

The Eastern Wild Turkey is the most populous in the country and native to the eastern United States and southern Canada. They have a dark body with a metallic sheen and a fan-shaped tail. Easterns are the heaviest subspecies and have the longest beards and the loudest gobbles. These turkeys prefer dense woodlands and are primarily active during the early morning and late afternoon. Successful hunting techniques for Eastern Wild Turkeys include using decoys, calling, and setting up near roosting sites in the early morning.

Osceola Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo osceola)

The Osceola Wild Turkey is a subspecies of the Eastern Wild Turkey and is found in Florida. They have a dark body with a coppery sheen on their feathers and have the longest spurs. These turkeys prefer swampy areas and are often found in pine forests, palmetto hammocks or among cattle in open pastures. Hunting techniques for Osceola Wild Turkeys are similar to those for Eastern Wild Turkeys, with an emphasis on hunting in swampy areas and using decoys.

Merriam's Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami)

The Merriam's Wild Turkey is native to the Rocky Mountains region of North America. They have a bright, iridescent body with a white rump patch and are known to have the quietest gobble and shortest beards. These turkeys prefer pine forests and are active during the day and generally are considered the easiest to hunt. Effective hunting techniques for Merriam's Wild Turkeys include using decoys, calling, and setting up near feeding areas.

Rio Grande Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia)

The Rio Grande Wild Turkey is found in the south-central United States, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. They have a bronze-colored body with a white tip on their tail feathers and have medium sized beards and spurs. These turkeys prefer grasslands and are active during the day. Hunting techniques for Rio Grande Wild Turkeys include using decoys, calling, and setting up near roosting and water sources.

Gould's Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana)

The Gould's Wild Turkey is native to Arizona and New Mexico and is the largest of the North American wild turkey species. They have a black body with a coppery sheen and a white rump patch. These turkeys prefer mountainous areas and are active during the day, but are hard to hunt. Hunting techniques for Gould's Wild Turkeys are similar to those for Merriam's Wild Turkeys, with an emphasis on hunting in mountainous areas and using decoys.

In conclusion, North America is home to a diverse range of wild turkey species, each with their own unique characteristics and habitats. By understanding the different species and their preferred habitats, hunters can adapt their hunting techniques to successfully pursue these elusive birds.