“The Ghost Bird”      By: Mark A. DePugh

 

What exactly is a “ghost bird”? The ghost bird is a name given to a wild turkey whose feathers differ in color and contrast from that of a normal wild turkey. The ghost’s feathers have a grayish and foggy looking base while the feather tip markings appear normal. Ghost birds are very rare. Some people believe they are albino birds while others claim the mix of inter-breeding of domesticated birds. But, the fact remains the same…. They are a magnificent sight to behold!

 

October 2001 found me amidst a struggle between bowhunting whitetails or hunting fall turkeys. I had never hunted wild turkey in the fall mainly because of the season conflict with archery deer season. Deer hunting is most definitely my passion; but calling in birds runs a close second!

 

I finally made the decision to head to the woods for my first fall turkey hunt. Strangely enough, I made the decision while I was at work. I decided to head to the woods that evening and give it a shot (pardon the pun) at fall turkey hunting. I arrived home in the late afternoon, loaded up my gear, and headed up the ridge. The temperature was warm and the wind was blowing slightly from the southeast. I walked across the top of the ridge as I placed my PJ’s 4 Reed Split V into my mouth. It was dry and stiff due to a lack of use, so I quickly tried to lubricate it with my saliva, or should I just go ahead and say spit. I moved the call back and forth in my mouth until I reached my destiny… A monster red oak tree was awaiting my arrival. I stood against the tree for several minutes while I continued to lubricate my call. Finally I decided to throw out some yelps. YELP, YELP, YELP. They sounded terrible! The latex on the call was still stiff causing an awful high pitch tone. I took the call from my mouth and worked the latex with my fingers. I placed the call back into my mouth when I suddenly encountered a “brain storm”…. Let’s use this tone to our advantage. So, I decided to throw out a few Kee-Kee’s….. I could not believe my ears!  A bird responded directly over the ridge! I immediately replied with a lost call, topped off with another Kee-Kee. We gained immediate conversation. The responding birds, yelped, clucked, and cut hysterically. I was nearly in shock! I wasn’t even sitting down; I was actually still leaning against the big red oak. I quickly squatted, pulled up my face net, positioned my gun and FROZE. I could hear the birds coming to me like a “puppy on a string”. What were they? I had no idea. The only thing I knew was that there were birds on the way, and Ohio’s fall season allows the hunter to harvest a hen or gobbler.

 

Suddenly the woods went quiet with no turkey talk or rustle of leaves. I sat motionless anticipating the arrival of the birds. A couple of minutes past…. So I decided to Kee-Kee one more time. That’s all it took. The birds responded with multiple yelps, and then suddenly up arose a head. I was astonished at the color; A whitish blue head? What is that? Surely, that’s not a long beard seeking romance in the fall of the year. The birds continued up the ridge and my eyes beheld the beauty of a magnificent “ghost bird”. I couldn’t believe it! Right behind the ghost hen were two Jake’s. Which bird do I take? The decision was not difficult for me. I had the ghost bird clearly within the sights of my 20-Gage Remington 870. This magnificent beauty was now a mere twenty-five yards away….. My heart was racing with excitement and appeared to be moving upwards into my throat. The grey ghost stretched her neck up in search of that lost young bird, when my 870 thundered off with a load of 5-shot Federal Premiums. I was so excited. Not only is it a rare occasion to ever see a ghost bird in the wild, but also even more rare to harvest one. My plans… You had better believe it, a full body mount! Shear magnificent beauty!!!

 

Even more unique than a ghost bird, is that of a spiritual ghost… the Holy Ghost. God sent His comforter to us in an effort to help us receive spiritual power and stamina. A shelter in the time of storm! You can not see the Holy Ghost, but as Christians we can know He’s real! God’s most wonderful plan of salvation included the gift of the Holy Spirit after Christ ascended into the heavens. It is true, we can live a Christian life that is both powerful and victorious, but the Holy Spirit must reside within the depths of our heart.

 

Yes indeed, I was certainly excited the day I harvested my “ghost” turkey…. But the truth is… It’s just a bird. However, words can not express the change that took place in my heart when I had an encounter with the Holy Ghost. God’s Spirit is both real and true… He can fill your heart with joy, gladness, love, and power! For God’s Word tells us… You will receive power after the Holy Ghost comes into you! (Acts 1:8)   

 

Mark A. DePugh

President FCH