Wild Turkey Gone Wild...

[kansas]

I was looking for some thoughts about my experience yesterday. My friend and I went on a 7 mile walk through the pastures and woods in 101 degree temperatures. We walked from Olathe, Kansas to Lenexa, Kansas. About two miles into our walk we came across a wild turkey. To our surprise, the turkey did not run or fly away, but did just the opposite. The turkey stood his ground and would not allow us to cross his path. In fact, no matter what we did, the turkey continued to walk towards us, making strange sounds. It came to a point that my friend had to get behind a large tree to avoid the turkey. Eventually, while my friend was behind the tree, I ran past the turkey. I then through twigs at him and got his attention so that my friend could run past him also. As we continued on our way, the turkey continued to follow us and eventually gave up. Yes, indeed we looked like to goofballs running from a wild turkey, but this wild turkey, for whatever reason had no fear and did not like our presence in his woods. I have been hiking in the woods for nearly 40 years and have never come across a turkey quite like this one. Any thoughts on why he chose to stay and not flee. Perhaps some of the hunters out there can provide me with some insight. Thanks for your anticipated response.

Steve
Kansas

[Mojave]

..........

[drdave514]

I was trying to flush a doe down a creek/tree line for a bowhunting friend one time and a turkey hen followed me the whole time. She stayed about 20 feet away from me. Never closer, never farther. Wherever I moved, she moved. It was weird.

[jimt]

i have had a female turkey walk up within 10 feet of me while hunting points,always staying between me and a tall weeded spot..a turkey hunter friend of mine told me that i was lucky that she did not fly up in my face because she had a brewd in the grassy patch..if the turkey you incountered was a male, then that is quite unusual.they run away before the hens do.

[DesertWalker]

Turkeys will attack.

[highsierra]

Last Tuesday evening we arrived at the local Italian Assn dinner night to find a turkey being shooed out of the bar area. It seems that the bird was begging peanuts from the relish table. Later, when we left, there were four turkeys resting on top of folk's cars. Aside from the poop piles it was kinda funny. Wild(?) turkeys are everywhere around here but only get aggressive during the spring when they are courting.

[Flintflicker]

protecting her Eggs possibly?