Date: 3/20/25 9:18 pm From: bike4birds via groups.io <tmccabe9...> Subject: [IBLE] A cautionary tale
The other day, I finished my ride without having encountered any Wild Turkeys. So, when I heard there was a flock on Harrison Boulevard, I walked over. I hung around for a while, but then the Tom started working his way over to me. I started backing away, but apparently not fast enough. The bird got closer and closer, and let out some classic turkey calls. The rest of the flock started moving from the front yard, where they had been hanging out for some time, while the Tom kept moving towards me.
As I backed up, someone behind me spoke, and I started to turn when the Tom jumped up and attacked me with his clawed feet. I got my hands up quickly enough that he didn't get my face, but he punctured both of my hands. I kept backing away, while waving my gloves at him, but he didn't give up on his shepherding me until I backed down the alley, going south, while the flock was moving north. In hindsight the injuries were minor, but the experience was quite scary. I guess I thought he would only strut and not attack.
I've attached a photo I took shortly before he went into attack mode.
Tom McCabe, Boise
