Though the idea of being attacked by a turkey may seem ridiculous, this National Park Service post reminded me of some previous encounters that demonstrate how serious the situation is.
Native to North America, turkeys can now be found in all US states with the exception of Alaska. An estimated 7 million wild toms and hens roam the nation’s forests.
There is a limited turkey hunting season in almost every state, but every now and then the birds turn on us and point their beaks at us—perhaps because we eat about 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so let’s remember some of the times that wild turkeys have wreaked havoc on people across the country.
It’s easy to forget the little things, the things that really matter, in a world where everything is so busy. However, occasionally, life throws us curveballs—unexpected occurrences that force us to refocus on the here and now and serve as a reminder of how fleeting life is.
One such turn of events for writer and tech enthusiast Carie Fisher was a wild turkey attack. On a routine day, she was traveling to Ikea with her boss, Greg, when their van struck a big, flying turkey. The collision broke the windshield, splashing glass all over Carie and leaving her with a bloody forehead.
Miraculously, Carie emerged relatively unscathed, thanks to modern automotive technology and the fact that she was wearing her seatbelt. The turkey, however, did not fare as well. It succumbed to its injuries, leaving Carie with a profound sense of gratitude for her own life and a newfound appreciation for the fragility of existence.
The turkey attack as jarring as it was became a turning point for Carie. It served as a stark reminder of her own mortality and the importance of living life to the fullest. She realized that fear and hesitation often held her back, preventing her from pursuing her dreams and embracing new experiences.
Carie was motivated by her near-death experience to take advantage of every chance that presented itself. She started pushing herself, embracing the unknown and moving outside of her comfort zone. She picked up new interests, explored new locales, and made new friends.
Carie’s story is a testament to the power of gratitude and the transformative nature of adversity It reminds us that even in the face of unexpected challenges, we have the ability to choose how we respond. We can choose to let fear paralyze us, or we can choose to use it as a catalyst for growth and transformation.
Carie’s near-death experience with a wild turkey was a wake-up call, a reminder that life is a precious gift, not to be taken for granted. It taught her the importance of living in the present moment, embracing opportunities, and cherishing the people in her life.
So, the next time you find yourself caught up in the daily grind, take a moment to pause and reflect. Remember Carie’s story, and let it inspire you to live your life to the fullest, embracing every opportunity and savoring every moment. After all, you never know when a wild turkey, or some other unexpected event, might come along and change your perspective forever.
Pecking At The Pregnant Lady – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Being attacked by a flock of turkeys once is one thing, but twice a week? When you consider that Kenda Carlson was seven months pregnant, you can understand how serious of a problem this was.
The first incident occurred while she was taking a spring time walk. Everything was good until it wasn’t, and then she found herself surrounded by at least five wild turkeys, who started viciously pecking at her.
She told Boston25:
“One followed me, then two more followed. Next thing, I’m surrounded by turkeys pecking at me. They had me surrounded, and I hunched over and took baby steps. Like, do I run? Play dead? What’s the best reaction?.
I screamed, I screamed and screamed. Thankfully, a neighbor came out with a broom in her hand.”
Her injuries from the attack were limited to multiple welts on the back of her legs.
A few days later, while she was walking to work, an identical deed was likely performed by another flock of turkeys. Again, nothing too serious happened to her, but she began to become suspicious of turkeys, which are said to be fairly common in the area, whenever she saw one.
Menacing The Mailman – Scotch Plains, New Jersey
In 2019, a wild turkey in New Jersey didn’t seem to think the mailman was a regular fixture in the neighborhood.
According to CBS News, a particularly angry turkey caused mail and Christmas present delivery to be delayed when it began targeting mail carriers on the normally quiet streets of Scotch Plains.
Locals said the bird was scaring children at bus stops, so they started bringing golf clubs outside in case it attacked. An online video of one of these attacks was also made public.
The local government had planned to execute the bird, but they had to reschedule due to a government shutdown. I’m not sure if the bird eventually found a new home or passed away naturally.
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