It may have been just a few seconds, but the wait felt like an eternity to Camron Bond. When a 20-pound wild turkey finally came out of the clearing, Bond took a shot and didn’t miss.

The local hunter wasn’t the only person who harvested a big bird over the weekend, but his was the lone one to make national news. Bond’s turkey had leucism – a lack of pigmentation which left its feathers white.

Bond had heard tales of the turkey, but when he set off for a hunting trip Saturday, he didn’t realize he was about to encounter his 15 minutes with fame.

“My friend and I know a man who owns 190 acres (in Rockvale), a few months before turkey season, he told us he had seen a white gobbler during deer season on the property,” said Bond. “We thought it would be really cool to see the turkey, but didn’t have any expectations that we would actually lay eyes on it.”

Hunting with childhood friend Joseph Ward, Bond was reminded of the conversation on his way back in from a morning hunt. Ward had already made his shot and the two decided to call it a successful hunt.

On the way back to their vehicle, Bond made one last call. He got an answer, and a story for a lifetime.

“When I called, a tom answered me with a gobble. I immediately sat down against a tree in the roadway where we were walking. He was on the other end of the field, roughly 100 yards from where I was at,” said Bond. “I didn’t have a great view. I couldn’t see the turkey until he was about 20 yards away. I called two more times, but didn’t get a response. All the sudden, I heard the turkey spit drumming.

“My heart started racing, but I still couldn’t see him because of some small cedars and brush. Finally I got a glimpse. What I could see – which wasn’t much – was white moving slowly.”

Bond’s mind quickly flashed back to the conversation months prior. He couldn’t believe he was about to have a shot at the white turkey.

“My heart was already racing, but once I realized it was a white turkey, it felt like my heart was going to jump from my chest. I knew, more than likely, I would never get an opportunity like this,” said Bond.

The turkey kept moving, never coming into a clearing for Bond to take a shot. At long last, while taking a glimpse down the road in hopes of finding a hen, Bond had a clean look.

“He finally presented me with a good shot and the rest is history,” said Bond.

 A post on the TWRA website quickly made national news. It came just a few weeks after another turkey with leucism had been shot in Mississippi, prompting national backlash.

Bond has received a mixed response, with many reaching out to congratulate while others have criticized his prized turkey.

“I had no idea it would go viral like this. I don’t hunt for attention, but I’ve tried to enjoy the recognition,” said Bond. “There’s been a lot of positive comments, but with the good comes the bad. There’s been thousands of comments made, and many are negative.

“I feel that people that have bad things to say don’t truly understand hunting and - for that matter - probably never have been. I think what people don’t realize is that the majority of hunters out there care more about the wildlife and the land they inhabit than anyone else out there.”

Bond noted how the turkey was the same species as the rest of the wild turkeys in the area, only without pigmentation. “I haven’t met any hunters yet who would not be thrilled to harvest a turkey of this nature,” added Bond.

Along with a story for the ages, Bond will have proof too. He dropped the turkey off at the taxidermist the same day of the kill. He will have it mounted and will get the meat as well.

A hunter since a young age, when his dad first introduced him to wildlife, Bond may never get another prize possession like Saturday’s turkey. But to him, it may not even been the highlight of the weekend.

“I’ve learned each hunt is unique in its own way,” said Bond. “I had the opportunity to take my nephew Adam Oleksik the following day and was fortunate enough to be a part of him harvesting his first turkey.

“It was a special moment we were able to share. That one ranks at the top.”