Jason Lewis successfully harvests a 19.31-pound turkey with a 10-inch beard at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, just in time for the 2 p.m. check-in deadline. This hunt reflects the increasing popularity of turkey hunting in the U.S., with an estimated six million wild turkeys now inhabiting 49 states, compared to only 1.3 million in 1973.
As turkey hunting evolves, so do the challenges faced by hunters like Lewis, who balances strategy and patience to outsmart these intelligent birds. Big Oaks, formerly a World War II munitions testing site, now provides a unique habitat that supports a thriving turkey population, as showcased during this year’s spring hunting season.
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