got a question for you turkey hunters.

[silvergts1998]

I meant to ask this a while back... The turkey I shot fell and died.. there was another turkey that stuck around and kept pecking at it to get up. All the other turkeys left while this one just stayed and tried to revive the down turkey. Both turkeys where Toms. I found this to be interesting. The turkeys that left where not too far away. They where maybe 60 yards fighting or circling around each other like they where confused or trying to decide who was in charge. So do turkeys have buddies or something? Kind of felt bad a little bit. I didn't think turkeys where social like maybe deer are. Any insight what happened? Just curious.

[backwoodsman]

Ive had that happen more then once. Happens more with bowhunting then gunhunting. Few years back I called a jake in for a nephew in the spring and he dropped it w/ a 20ga. 5 or so mintues later another one came up and went to stompin and peckin it. Fowl whether wild or domesticated do that, they pick on the sick/injured/dead. When I raised pheasent's you had to put blinders on the cocks or you'd loose 20%-50% to pecking and fighting. In the early '00's I tagged out in one day bowhunting on two toms, shot the first one and one of the group of 5 came over and went to stomping and it pecking it so I whacked him too. Dont feel bad, they dont have "buddies", he probably seen the blood from the shot and was pecking that.

[silvergts1998]

Makes sense.

As far as feeling bad....I grew up on Disney. LOL!

[cjg]

I've shot them with a shotgun before and had other birds attack them immediately, more than once, actually ran across the field to get to him, the more he flopped around the faster they came. Kicking the king while he's down I guess.

[DocHolladay]

Its more of a dominance thing than a buddy thing.

[cjg]

That's what I figure too, you shoot the big one, he's been kicking everyones butt all spring, so they get their licks in while they can.

[silvergts1998]

Makes sense. Thanks for all the replies.

[TheBowHunter]

Yeah, kick'em when he's down!

[ironhead]

Turkey are naturally gregarious,,,and tough to figure out,,with a brain the size of pea you dont know if they are genius or Gump?????? I have shot turkey,,and have them stand there looking for you,,they have ran off and came back,,run off never to be seen again,,go figure,,,,,I dunno.