14/04/2022
‼️ Once in a couple lifetime’s ‼️
When I laid eyes on this bird in the fall of 2019 while I was deer hunting. I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking at.
Then trail cam pics in the spring of 20 confirmed my suspicions.
No encounters.
Season came and went without any idea where he had went or if he was alive.
Fall of 20 - My mind was put to ease when I saw him from the deer stand once again flocked up and feeding.
Spring of 21- I finally got eyes on him mid-day but blew the opportunity and unfortunately I closed the season out defeated.
21 Deer season and I receive confirmation he was alive from my brother and dad both saying they seen him from the stand.
I was beyond relieved.
Opening day 2022- I had decided I wouldn’t rest until he was in hand and every bird that wasn’t White would get a pass.
As daylight approached I heard some birds on roost and decided to close the distance, fingers crossed one was him. I gave a fly down cackle and beat my hat on the ground. 30 seconds later I hear two birds fly down.
2 minutes passed.. with me on high alert,I catch movement.. a young female yote was making her move on what was thought to be breakfast. I had a decision to make… after two shells ejected, she expired at 12 yds
Thinking my hunt was over and only one shell left I hunted out the rest of my morning and decided to call it quits mid day. Little did I know it was all about to come together.
Our paths cross and with only one shell I knew I had to be patient, I belly crawled into position, the closest opportunity I felt I’d get was 45 yds. I touched the trigger, he rolled, took flight and came straight back down to hit the ground running. Not knowing where I was he ran straight to me and laid down. I stood up, took 8 speedy steps and grabbed him by the neck as he took off.
This is where the story of this magnificent, beautiful, once in a life time, fully albino, North Carolina long beard ends.
I am so blessed and fortunate to have had a chance to pursue a bird of this rarity, let alone harvest him.
The level of gratitude I have for this experience is indescribable.
Thank you lord
1 1/4 spurs & 11.5” beard
