Gil,
They where alway here, but not in huntable numbers, the ruff grouse/ Turkey program with Missouri and Kentucky helped bring the birds to a huntable number I think most of the birds came from Missouri but not 100%
My father cured that season with a front and rear sight to later a red dot.
I have taken a few birds with a 410 and it was a joy to carry. Did not know about TSS, but the patterns you are getting out of that 410 is what other turkey hunters dream off. If i owned that 410 / load I would not hunt with anything else but that 410 turkey hammer!
I am thinking very hard this year to go after them with my newly acquired little flint lock made by Ken Netting. We all thought it was a 410 but turned out to be a 3/4 size 28 guage. No complaints here, I'll see if I can work up a load and find some TSS shot. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.