Where Do The Wild Turkey Go In Winter?
By Sheila Brown
@sgbrown (1638)
United States
December 20, 2015 12:54pm CST
Every spring, they appear, the wild turkey. Living in the country, we see a lot of them on our 40 acres. I love to watch them, especially the "Toms" when they are strutting their stuff for the ladies!
We get to watch them all strutt all spring and get to watch the babies grow up in summer and fall. Once fall is over, they just seem to disappear! I don't think I have ever seen a wild turkey in winter. Where do they go? Has anyone seen a wild turkey in the winter?
This pictures was taken one fall while a large rafter of wild turkey were crossing our pond dam.
17 people like this
15 responses
@Morleyhunt (21745)
• Canada
20 Dec 15
One of them flew into my windshield last Thursday. I wasn't amused.
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@Morleyhunt (21745)
• Canada
21 Dec 15
@sgbrown no, we were fortunate. It made a very loud bang. I instinctively ducked my head.
1 person likes this
@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
21 Dec 15
@Morleyhunt I would have too! I'm glad there was no damage! :)
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
20 Dec 15
If I am not mistaken, as I recall, I have seen the wild turkeys year round in the North Shore. But I imagine once fall hits, they do go to hide out, knowing it is Thanksgiving.
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@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
21 Dec 15
@sgbrown welcome Sheila..a merry xmas to you and yours.
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@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
22 Dec 15
@TiarasOceanView Thank you so much! I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas as well!
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@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
20 Dec 15
If you go for a walk in the woods you will find their tracks in the snow, They are around probably building snow covers so they can cuddle up with each other and stay warm. 
We saw them in our woods over the winter and they spend the night in trees.
We saw them in our woods over the winter and they spend the night in trees.2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
21 Dec 15
@sgbrown Ha ha ha ha ha ha, I am laughing because I was kidding about building snow shelters. They do look for cover, we have pine forests where I grew up and upstate NY was cold enough the snow became hard the the Turkeys can walk on top of it. They look for seeds and berries and we also have farmers that grown corn on our fields so there is corn laying around for them to find.
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@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
20 Dec 15
I don't think I have ever seen turkey tracks in the snow here, but then we only have a little snow for a very short time. I didn't know they build snow covers and snuggle up to stay warm, that sounds rather cozy. I do know they roost in the trees at night as I have seen them several times and they have given me a good scare when the come crashing down from the trees before. They are not the most graceful birds! LOL
2 people like this
@FibroGodess (540)
• United States
20 Dec 15
In new England, fall and winter (at least the beginning of winter) is when I see them. Many times I'd have to stop my car to let 10 to 20 of them cross the road, and they are not quick about it. I love seeing them and often thank them for being part of my day. *be well*
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157873)
• United States
21 Dec 15
You are going to keep us on our toes with your wildlife observations. Most interesting I have seen was the one that came to my daughter's yard sale in Minneapolis last summer. Of course she also had mallard ducks that would fly into the back yard every evening for a while.
1 person likes this
@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
21 Dec 15
Your daughter's yard must be very attractive to the birds! I do have mallards on our pond every now and then.
@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
20 Dec 15
Yes, there are many people who will shoot a wild turkey for either Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Hubby did not this year, he smoked a beef brisket and a ham. For Christmas, we are doing a shrimp boil. I'm glad to see that you remembered the "rafter" of wild turkey!
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
20 Dec 15
Interesting question. I have never seen wild turkeys so the thought never occurred, but a good question indeed.
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
21 Dec 15
We only see a few each year. They say they are making a come back in Illinois. I sure hope so. Love to hear them gobble.
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@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
22 Dec 15
@fishtiger58 We see a lot every year, until winter. I too, love to hear them gobble!
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