Milan man shoots record setting turkey near Saline-Milan border
Milan resident Terry Sheats, 62, shot a multi-bearded turkey on Friday, April 26 that was 38 and 15/16ths inches in length, a new Washtenaw County record.
Photo courtesy of Terry Sheats
Sheats said he's never shot a bird as big as the one he did last Friday. Actually, no one has. Ever.
Sheats shot a record setting turkey on Friday, April 26 at 7:52 a.m. Using a shotgun, Sheats, 62, shot a turkey that - including its six beards and two spurs - measured 38 and 15/16ths inches in length, which is a multi-beard record for Washtenaw County.
It is the 29th longest multi-beard turkey ever recorded in the state of Michigan according to Commemorative Bucks of Michigan, which is the official keeper of Michigan big game trophy records for deer, bear, elk and turkey.
Sheats - a lifelong Milan resident -- said he’s been hunting in the same area his whole life, but has never seen anything close to the record setting turkey, which weighed 21 pounds, six ounces.
The previous Washtenaw County record was 24 and 1/16 inches set in 2006 by Jeff Krull according to Bill Nash, official scoring chairman for CBM. Nash measured Sheats’ turkey on Monday. Spring turkey season runs from April 22-May 18.
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
Dirty Mouth
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:06 p.m.
Wow, he shot big bird.
music to my ear
Fri, May 3, 2013 : noon
even though i eat turkey I did feel sad for this beautiful bird ,at least stuff him he is too gorgeous to eat and I know if terry did not get him someone else would have, congrats.
Tru2Blu76
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 8:38 a.m.
Getting such a lifetime hunting spot close to home is Mr. Sheats's real achievement. Congrats on your hunting success. :-)
Nicholas Urfe
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 3:21 a.m.
Pretty sure I have been chased by bigger turkeys than that.
Dirty Mouth
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:06 p.m.
Gov. Snyder doesn't count.
Jim Pryce
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 1:41 a.m.
Congratulations on a great bird.
zucker
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 1:25 a.m.
I wasn't sure if this was a serious story when I first read the headline. I guess thats exciting news for small towns like milan.
Chris
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:53 p.m.
Why all the downvotes? I'd rather live in a place where the big news is "man shoots giant turkey" than "three men murdered" or "city to declare bankrupcy."
Joe Zurawski
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 7:57 p.m.
Can someone - ANYONE - PLEASE tell me where the Saline-Milan border is? The last time I looked at a map they were 5.4 miles apart at their nearest points.
Pete Cunningham
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:54 p.m.
Spot on John. Terry didn't want to give up his exact locale when I asked him and said it was so there weren't droves of people out there next time he went.
John Counts
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:20 p.m.
No one ever wants to reveal the precise location of where they bagged their record-setting game. I'm sure when someone asked Mr. Sheats where he got his turkey, he winked and said, "You know, somewhere between Saline and Milan."
KeepitClassy
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.
Spoken like a real ex-politician. Let us know when you address your mail York Twp., Michigan. Until then you will have have to come to means with the terms Saline-Milan border. I am sure you are in favor it being just called Saline .... Unfortunately, favortism to one York Twp neighbor wouldn't be anything new for you, now would it?
Pete Cunningham
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 8:20 p.m.
If you're starting from Ann Arbor take Saline-Ann Arbor road toward Saline, once you cross Michigan Avenue the road will turn into Saline-Milan Road. Take that toward Milan and you'll find the Saline-Milan border. Technically there are some small townships in between, but they are considered part of the Saline or Milan communities.
Saline_Wins
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 7:43 p.m.
Terry can not be 62. I went to school with his son and his son would be 46yrs old. So he is actually older then 62 unless he had his son at like 14yrs old.
Chris
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
A guy who looks like that in his 60s can fib a bit.
baker437
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 6:08 p.m.
Good job! Let me know if you need a dinner guess. Why are some belittle this man and his hobby that feeds his family? How about I leave you and your hobbies and ideas alone and you don't force your view point on everyone else.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 2:12 a.m.
I got a "dinner guess". I guess Mike will be eating turkey for a long, long time.
baker437
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 6:48 p.m.
guess = guest
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 4:24 p.m.
nice! just picked up my permit yesterday. need to find out when i can get out!
Pete Cunningham
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 4:12 p.m.
Terry's 62 and everyone I've shown that picture to has him pegged for, at most, 40. I have a new diet plan: If Terry's hunts it, I'll eat it.
Lola
Fri, May 3, 2013 : 1:20 a.m.
I know! Here's a man who has aged incredibly well. I hope Mrs. Sheats knows how lucky she is :-) And that turkey......wow! That is one huge bird. Congrats!
dancinginmysoul
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 11:53 p.m.
I've done 4 "double takes." In addition to a gianormous turkey, he's also found the fountain of youth.
jrtluvr1959
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 11:30 p.m.
I Was going to comment the same thing. Dang Mr Sheats. You look maaavelous!
Billy
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 6:01 p.m.
Wow...the man in that picture does not look 62 at all. Talk about aging well.
WalkingJoe
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 4:46 p.m.
I thought he was in his late 20's, not two years older than me. Must be all that fresh air he get's too.
John of Saline
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 4:31 p.m.
No joke. I was shocked to see the age and the photo. Time to ditch the desk job......
Kyle Feldscher
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 3:50 p.m.
I have a feeling that Mr. Sheats might be overdosing on tryptophan in the near future.
dsponini
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 3:41 p.m.
Give that man a medal! Now send him off to take care of those threatening wolves in Michigan...they seem to be everywhere!
arborani
Thu, May 2, 2013 : 11:27 p.m.
As are all kinds of turkeys.