Turkey Attack

Ok so I am sure a lot of you have seen video or heard of people getting attacked by wild Turkeys mainly due to them getting to close to the bird for some reason. Well yesterday I was hiking at the Rancocas Nature Center and I became one of the attacked. Here is the story.

I went for a hike to get back in shape since I have been out of commission due to a hernia surgery. While walking the yellow trail in the park I saw a wild turkey in the distance but it was going away from me and up a hill. I was worried that when I got to that spot it would come at me but by the time I got there is was no where to be seen. Finishing along the blue trail heading down to the visitor center and parking lot the trail breaks into a Y intersection. I decided to take the right trail to loop around a field heading to the parking lot. Thats when it got bad.

I didn't see the turkey laying in the tall grass and when I made the turn onto the trail I heard a weird sound then it came busting out of the grass at me on a full speed run with wings open. Not expecting that (yet not panicking) I screamed at it which stopped it for a second while I tried to back away. It charged me again and I threw my arms up and charged it a few steps, which made it back off and try to circle around me. I picked up a branch and threw it which did not hit it (wasn't trying to hurt it) but made it run off farther to give me more space. I hurried down the trail but the moment I turned my back it charged again, so I repeated what I did before. This time it backed off and circled me at a decent distance and I just stood there watching it. I guess it was tired of me so it went back to where I ran into it.

So if you see a wild turkey keep your distance the WILL attack they can be very aggressive. I didn't do anything to aggravate it, but it sure wanted to attack me. This is the first time I have EVER ran into a problem with wildlife while on a hike. That five minute fight just goes to show you NEVER know what you can run into while out in the woods. Always be on the look out and be prepared.

Picture of the turkey after the fight and it was going back to the spot I ran into it.

Crazy Turkey

Crazy Turkey