The first is when you’ve done everything correctly to harvest a certain bird and each time you believe you are about to seal the deal, he gives you the finger. This is the kind of thing that will cause you great stress and anxiety.
Then there is the bird that won’t answer your calls. He gobbles but won’t come. He either goes the other way when you call or comes running in before you’re ready. Occasionally, he will take too long to arrive, so you move forward, but he notices you getting up. Sometimes these birds like to gobble and strut just barely out of shotgun range. Your wife thinks you’re crazy as you fight these gobblers, and you most likely are because you haven’t had enough rest or sleep.
Once I had a hard-body PVC decoy hid in a muscadine vine. The turkey was gobbling his head off on the final day of the season, when it was still dark. It was very warm that morning, and I remember thinking that there could be snakes out. I heard the rattle of the first rattlesnake I had ever seen in the wild as I reached down to get the decoy. Not wanting to ruin the hunt by shooting the snake, I let the snake have the decoy.
Then there was the time I lost my way in the dark. As it began to sprinkle, I slipped on the wet leaves and fell off a steep ridge, shattering my phone in the process. Fortunately, I was not hurt bad enough to stop hunting.
The largest turkey I have ever killed was so far away that I attempted to return to the truck in a straight line, only to die trying to find my way while toting a 24-lb. gobbler.
I could tell you about a lot of other birds and stories, but the one that really struck a chord with me—or rather, hurt me the most—was a bird that I had never even gone hunting for.
Sadly, my brother-in-law missed his best opportunity to shoot the turkey and was unable to locate it when he called in this bird early one morning. After he called and informed me of what had happened, I told him to hold off until I could arrive so that we could search for it together. Usually you don’t retrieve a wounded turkey that’s not going to die very quickly. However, the day was blessed by the Lord, and we discovered the turkey concealed among some towering weeds.
The bird got up and ran off on one leg. Since I could run faster than my brother-in-law, I grabbed the gun from him and began to close in on the turkey. However, the bird took off, so I shot it once more. When it hit the ground, it quickly recovered and began to run once more, putting a good distance between us.
I began sprinting as quickly as I could to return to shotgun range, but the soggy, damp ground caused my feet to sink so far that I fell onto a stump, breaking my right bottom rib while gasping for air. But like any committed turkey hunter, I was able to get up and kill the bird before passing out and collapsing to the ground in an attempt to regain my breath. A sixty-year-old man should not be in the kind of situation that I had put myself in, and my heart was pounding a mile a minute in addition to the pain of breaking a rib.
Like I said in the beginning, there are many ways in which a wild turkey can hurt you.
While wild turkeys are generally shy and elusive creatures encounters with them can sometimes turn aggressive leaving you wondering if they can actually hurt you. Let’s delve into the world of wild turkey behavior and explore how to handle these feathered foes should you find yourself in an unexpected altercation.
Can a Wild Turkey Hurt You?
The answer is a resounding yes. While they may not actively seek out conflict with humans, wild turkeys can become aggressive in certain situations, particularly during breeding season (March-May) when males become territorial and protective. Their primary weapons are their sharp beaks, powerful legs, and surprisingly strong wings.
How Can a Wild Turkey Hurt You?
- Pecking: Turkeys have sharp beaks capable of inflicting painful pecks that can draw blood. These pecks can target the face, head, and other exposed areas.
- Kicking: Turkeys have strong legs with sharp claws that can deliver powerful kicks. These kicks can cause bruises, lacerations, and even broken bones in severe cases.
- Winging: While not as common as pecking or kicking, turkeys can use their wings to strike and flap, causing discomfort and potentially knocking you off balance.
What to Do if Attacked by a Wild Turkey:
If you find yourself being attacked by a wild turkey, your best course of action is to:
- Stay Calm: Panicking will only worsen the situation. Remain calm and assess the situation.
- Make Yourself Appear Large: Raise your arms above your head and shout loudly to try and intimidate the turkey.
- Use Objects as Barriers: If available, use objects like backpacks, jackets, or even tree branches to shield yourself from the turkey’s attacks.
- Retreat Slowly: Back away slowly while facing the turkey. Avoid sudden movements that could trigger further aggression.
- Seek Medical Attention if Necessary: If you are injured, seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if you have been bitten or clawed.
Can You Outrun a Wild Turkey?
While wild turkeys are surprisingly fast runners, capable of reaching speeds of up to 25 mph, outrunning one is certainly possible for most humans, especially over short distances. However, it’s important to remember that turkeys are agile and can change directions quickly, making them difficult to outrun in tight spaces or over uneven terrain.
How to Avoid Turkey Attacks:
The best way to avoid being attacked by a wild turkey is to be aware of their presence and take precautions:
- Be Aware of Breeding Season: Avoid areas frequented by turkeys during breeding season (March-May).
- Maintain Distance: Give turkeys plenty of space. If you see a turkey, move away slowly and calmly.
- Don’t Feed Turkeys: Feeding turkeys encourages them to approach humans, which can lead to aggressive behavior.
- Supervise Children: Keep children away from turkeys, as they are more likely to be targeted.
Remember: Wild turkeys are wild animals and should be treated with respect. By understanding their behavior and taking appropriate precautions, you can minimize the risk of being attacked and enjoy safe encounters with these fascinating creatures.
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When Turkeys Attack
FAQ
Can a turkey bite you?
Will a turkey peck you?
Can a wild turkey hurt you?
What happens if you hit a turkey?
Do turtles bite you?
When a turtle has a sense that it is in danger, it will bite you if it feels there is no other way to get you away from them. You should keep in mind that turtles are never ones to seek out attention or affection from a human, so approaching one in hopes of stroking them will not end well for you.
Can wild turkeys be killed?
The fear of getting diseases from turkey droppings has been used as an excuse to kill wild turkeys, but killing nuisance turkeys is cruel and doesn’t solve the problem (more turkeys will just take their place). Try these effective, non-lethal ways to get rid of unwanted wild turkeys. Learn More About Turkeys Why shouldn’t I feed wild turkeys?
What does a turtle bite feel like?
Bites from huge softshell turtles may be quite dangerous. In contrast to the relatively little harm that can be caused by bites from smaller turtles, bites from softshell turtles are notoriously painful. Now that you know what a turtle bite feels like, let’s look at what you should and shouldn’t do if you are bitten by one.
Can a snapping turtle bite make you sick?
If the bite was severe enough to draw blood, you must use antibiotics to treat the wound, as some turtles can be a carrier of salmonella which will make you sick if it enters your bloodstream. If the wound is even more severe such as a bite from a snapping turtle, going to the hospital as soon as you can is the best option.