In contrast with the little horse who won’t let me near her, the wild deer and turkeys are happy to have me around. When I took this picture, I was standing ten feet away in plain sight with a 95 pound dog next to me. These animals are willing to coexist with us.
When a flock of wild turkeys moved onto our land, I learned that (wait for it) turkey hunting is not a sport. Radical statement, I know, but this is why: turkeys don’t migrate, they flock together, they don’t fly much and they have a home territory. This means that groups of big birds are out walking on their rounds every day, and roosting in the same place each night. If I wanted to kill five male turkeys, I can do this any day in the backyard at 10AM, or in the neighbor’s backyard at 11AM/ camo is optional. A turkey is too big to hide, can’t fly away, and walks around. You can harvest an animal that behaves like that, but the only reason it is remotely sporting is that nearly all turkeys are already killed so hunters have to travel to remote spots to find the last ones…which doesn’t seem sporting.
Biologists say that wild turkeys are generalists that exploit many different food sources, and their populations can become large if they’re tolerated. Their range includes most of the US.
If wild turkey hunters took a break for a bit, there could be more turkeys next year and less empty habitat the year after that. Wild turkeys are living in New York’s Central Park, I hear, and they could be living throughout suburbia. Then there would be enough to harvest. Until that time, I wish those turkey hunters would just simmer down.
And so does he.
This is the most striking photo I have seen in some time (the one of the deer and turkeys). It makes me think of Thanksgiving, and holidays, and maybe even a litle bit of heaven. You are really blessed to be able to wake up in a place like that, with such wildlife around. How beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
I can’t believe you can get so close, especially with your dog!!! He must be pretty well trained, because mine would go absolutely mental! Great pictures!
Nice photos Alice…we also have a large white tail deer herd and wild turkey flock here on Martha’s Vineyard, Ma. Love reading your blog. Keep up the good work!
The deer looks like it is saying,
“Where’s the beef ?”
Or
“Where’s dinner ?”
or
“Dinner’s late.”
I don’t think most people would enjoy all the turkey poop on their houses, cars and such. We re-introduced them onto our ranch years back. They very seldom get hunted and must have some type of grain to survive in these parts in the winter. The flock never gets any bigger. I don’t know where your getting your turkey info, but I don’t think you are 100% correct. Don’t get me wrong. I like them myself. Especially for all the bugs they eat.
You’re right–the populations would increase, not double. I edited it out. And you’re right about the turkey poop, too. My big dog keeps them out of the gardens, but I’ve heard stories about turkey flocks terrorizing medium-sized dogs. Alice
tertert
That firt photo was a gem with the deer and wild turkeys - so cozy together. Think of them being in Central Park in New York! And what a nifty last photo. Your test is so terse and amusing, especially with the turkey (last frame) speaking. Your Beside the Stream absolutely makes my day.
MB