In the first case, you’ve done everything right to catch a certain bird, but he always gets away just as you think you’re about to seal the deal. 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. He may be late sometimes, letting you move. He sees you stand up, though. Sometimes these birds like to gobble and strut just barely out of shotgun range. Because you haven’t slept or rested in a while, your wife thinks you’re crazy as you fight these gobblers.
Once I had a hard-body PVC decoy hid in a muscadine vine. The turkey was gobbling his head off on the last day of the season. 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. It began to sprinkle, and I tripped over some wet leaves. I fell off a steep ridge and broke my phone. Fortunately, I was not hurt bad enough to stop hunting.
The largest turkey I ever killed was so far away that I tried to walk back to the truck in a straight line but ended up killing myself while carrying a 24-pound turkey. gobbler.
I could tell you about a lot of other birds and stories, but the one that really hit home for me was about a bird I didn’t even hunt.
My brother-in-law called this bird in early one morning. He didn’t get a good shot on the turkey, though, and couldn’t find it. What happened? He called me and told me. I told him to wait until I got there, and we would look for it together. Usually you don’t retrieve a wounded turkey that’s not going to die very quickly. But God was good to us that day, and we found the turkey hiding in some tall weeds.
The bird got up and ran off on one leg. Since I was faster than him, I took the gun from my brother-in-law and ran after it. I was able to catch up to the turkey. But the bird took off into the air, so I shot it again. When it hit the ground, it got up very quickly and started running again, putting a good distance between us.
I ran as fast as I could to get back within range of the shotgun, but the ground was wet and muddy, and my feet sank so far into it that I hit a stump and broke my right bottom rib. It took the breath out of me. I still stood up and killed the turkey, though, like any determined turkey hunter would. Then I fell to the ground and tried to catch my breath. When I broke my rib, my heart was beating a hundred miles per hour, and the pain made me realize that I shouldn’t have been in that kind of situation at age sixty.
Like I said in the beginning, there are many ways in which a wild turkey can hurt you.
Turkeys have a reputation for being harmless goofy birds. However, they can deliver painful bites, especially wild turkeys during breeding season. While serious injuries from turkey attacks are exceedingly rare, it’s still wise to give aggressive birds plenty of space. Here’s what to know about just how much damage an angry tom can inflict.
The Power Behind a Turkey’s Peck
With their small heads and scrawny necks, turkeys may not look formidable But make no mistake – their bites pack a surprising punch
Wild turkeys have strong jaws and sharp beaks adapted for cracking hard nuts and seeds. While domesticated turkeys are more docile, wild turkeys remain aggressive, especially the males during mating season when testosterone is high.
Turkey bites can break skin and cause bruises or scratches. The face, hands, arms and legs are vulnerable areas since turkeys tend to strike upwards with their beaks. Bites on softer tissue like the nose or ears may lead to bleeding.
Young children are at greatest risk of injury since they are closer to a turkey’s height. But even adults can experience pain from a turkey’s peck. The birds will leap upwards with claws outstretched to scratch and gouge.
How to Avoid Being Bitten
While serious harm is unlikely, it’s smart to give wild turkeys plenty of space:
- Don’t approach or corner turkeys. Give them an escape route.
- Avoid areas where turkeys roost, nest or travel.
- Keep small pets indoors if turkeys are nearby.
- Use loud noises, yelling or spraying water to scare off bold turkeys.
- Wave arms or objects to appear large and intimidating.
- Travel in groups since lone humans are more likely to be attacked.
Turkeys fiercely defend territories and offspring. Removing bird feeders and other food sources can prevent habituation and aggression.
What to Do If a Turkey Attacks
Should a bite seem inevitable, self-defense is warranted. Here are tactics to minimize injury:
- Use sharp noises to startle the turkey like yelling or banging objects.
- Charge directly at the turkey to intimidate it rather than retreating.
- Wave sticks, jackets or other items to appear more threatening.
- Spray the turkey’s face with water if available.
- Kick your leg out to knock back an approaching turkey.
- Cover your head and neck since the face is a target.
- Run away at angles rather than straight lines which triggers a turkey’s prey drive.
- Seek shelter in a building or car to escape an aggressive turkey.
Consider wearing a helmet, hat and eye protection when in areas with hostile turkeys. Report persistent menaces to local wildlife authorities.
Treating Bites and Preventing Infection
Should a turkey land a painful bite, promptly clean the wound with soap and water. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a sterile bandage. Watch for signs of infection like redness, swelling, oozing or warmth. Seek medical care for deep punctures which may require stitches and oral antibiotics.
Both wild and domestic turkeys can transmit bacteria through their beaks. Salmonella is a top concern. Minimize contact with turkey fluids and wash hands thoroughly after handling birds. A tetanus shot may be advised if you haven’t had one recently.
While painful, most turkey bites heal quickly with basic first aid. But prompt cleaning and disinfection prevents complications. Give aggressive turkeys plenty of space but know tactics to safely scare them off when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much PSI is in a turkey’s bite?
An average adult wild tom can deliver around 200 PSI – enough to break skin in most cases.
Do domestic turkeys bite?
Domestic turkeys are bred to be docile but toms may still bite if threatened or during disputes.
Do turkey bites cause swelling?
Yes, turkey bites often cause swelling around the wound as the body reacts to trauma. Apply ice to minimize swelling.
Should I get antibiotics for a bite?
Antibiotics may be prescribed for deep punctures or bites showing signs of infection.
Can a bite infect you with salmonella?
Turkeys can transmit salmonella through their beaks, so prompt cleaning helps prevent infections.
Can you get rabies from a turkey bite?
No, birds like turkeys cannot carry or transmit the rabies virus.
Will animal control remove nuisance turkeys?
Many agencies will intervene when turkeys pose threats to public safety.
Should you report a turkey bite?
You aren’t required to but it helps track aggressive turkeys in the area.
How long does a bite take to heal?
Superficial bites may heal in 5-7 days. Deeper wounds take longer, around 2 weeks.
The Bottom Line
While turkeys have the potential to inflict painful bites, serious injuries are very rare. Caution is recommended around hostile wild turkeys, but in most cases, bites result in only minor wounds. Prompt cleaning and first aid reduces the risk of complications. Remember that we reintroduced turkeys into areas they formerly inhabited – their aggression is instinctual, not malicious. With proper space and respect, we can safely coexist with these iconic American birds.
Become a GON subscriber and enjoy full access to ALL of our content.
New monthly payment option available!