wildturkeyDNA

A partnership between Wild Turkey Lab, NWTF, DU, UTEP, & Low Country Game Bird Foundation to engage hunters in wild turkey genetics.

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@wildturkeydoc @NWTF_official @wildturkeylab @DucksUnlimited @UTEP @LavretskyLab #lowcountrygamebirdfoundation

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

When Addilee harvested this turkey last spring in Mississippi, wildturkeyDNA had not even launched – we were several weeks from having kits available to send to hunters! But we saw images of Addilee’s bird and reached out to see if we could obtain a sample for genetic testing.

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

Congrats to Addilee for harvesting a unique turkey, which will help keep our wild turkey flocks 100% wild.  Stay tuned for more results from year 1 of wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage color variations in these magnificent birds.

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

When Addilee shot this unique looking turkey in Mississippi during 2025, she immediately knew the bird sported unique and odd plumage. We’ll reveal results tomorrow but drop your guess on the bird's origin — wild, Heritage or something else?

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

@NWTF_official @DucksUnlimited @wildturkeydoc @wildturkeylab @UTEP @LavretskyLab #lowcountrygamebirdfoundation #duckdna

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

We saw images online of Aaron's bird and reached out to see if it could be included in the wildturkeyDNA project. Interestingly, there were several turkeys harvested last spring that looked similar to Aaron’s bird, so we were really curious as to the origin of the odd plumage.

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

Congratulations to Aaron for harvesting an interesting looking wild turkey, and stay tuned for more results from year 1 of wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage variations in these magnificent birds.

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

This week wildturkeyDNA heads to Mississippi where Aaron shot a really interesting looking turkey during spring 2025. We’ll post results tomorrow, but what do you think is the origin of the unique plumage on this bird? It is a wild turkey, a Heritage turkey, or something else?

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

@wildturkeydoc @wildturkeylab @NWTF_official @DucksUnlimited @LavretskyLab @UTEP #duckdna #lowcountrygamebirdfoundation

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

When Coleton harvested this West Virginia turkey, he immediately realized the bird was unique.  Similar to some other birds we’ve tested through wildturkeyDNA, this turkey has solid black primaries and secondaries on the wing.

[wildturkeyDNA @wildturkeyDNA]

Congratulations to Coleton for harvesting a truly unique wild turkey and stay tuned for more results from year 1 of wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage variations in these magnificent birds.