Some years back a hen turkey moved into our yard for the winter. We
have a bird feeder hanging off our deck. Rather than fly to it, she
would walk up the 13 steps from the ground to the deck and then jump up
on the railing to eat from the feeder. When she was done she would jump
back down (we could always hear that) and she'd walk back down the steps.

We could sit inside at the sliding door less than 2' from her without
her being bothered. One day, though, I came around a corner, didn't know
she was there and when she saw me she took off -- it sounded like an F15
it was so loud.

This year we had a pair of hens in the neighborhood but they did not get
into the bird feeder habit. They did eat what fell on the ground
though. And if they were walking on the road they took their time
getting out of the way.

One snowy day I watched our neighbor shoveling snow off his deck right
onto one of the turkeys which was on the ground below. He didn't see
the turkey and she probably figured it had started to snow again.

Bill

Leo Van Der Loo wrote:

Hi George

I see a few wild turkey around here but none have come into my garden,
not much to eat but flowers and weeds, only problem I have is rabbit and
the occasional groundhog and white tail, and one grouse, must have lost
its way, but since the turkey's hate flying I would go for high chicken
wire fencing, then again if really wanting to get your produce it'll be
hard to keep them out, maybe you have to make some turkey calls for
hunting season and claim some repayment.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

George wrote:

Ok, I keep urinal cake (naphtha) in my garbage can so the bears won't
carry
the bags away to dine in the woods, never let the little dog out at night
without the big one to counter a single wolf, maintain an electric fence
around my garden so I won't be accused of baiting deer, and stomp my
feet to
warn the big snakes of my approach. Today was time four that I had to
chase
a turkey out of the vicinity of my garden. Too many to be a
coincidence.
Though maybe he - it's a Tom - is strictly on an insect hunt, I wonder
how
long it will take him to become a vegetarian when the peas come in.
Anyone
have any experience with wild turkeys? Suggestions on how to convince
him
(them) that there are better places to eat?

I'm thinking of a scareturkey, but with no information in the searches,
don't know if I would just be wasting my time. Maybe something turned
with
hanging shining swinging things on it?

BTW, for those who have been startled by a pheasant or grouse, a
turkey is
another experience altogether.