Got a turkey question for ya

[Andrea]

I have never hunted turkeys but have watched them from my treestand on numerous occasions.
On one particular day I witnessed something rather funny. Maybe this is typical turkey behavior, I don't know. About 8 or 9 hens had wandered in and fed around for a while followed by 3 or 4 toms. They were starting to leave and they got in a single file line and went off to my left. On my left was a dirt path. As they got to the path EACH turkey would take a few steps back, bow their heads down, spread their wings and run and jump. I'm serious, every single one of them did this. The toms would do it and continue to run down the trail hopping with their wings spread. It looked like they were playing.

It took all I could do not to laugh. Now what was that all about???????

[hobie]

That is called a dust bowl.They go in ther and get the bugs off them and throw the dust all over them

[Andrea]

Well, they weren't fluffing it onto their backs. I used to raise turkeys and I know what you're talking about. These guys looked like they were on a runway and trying to run fast enough to catch air! And they were taking turns so politely, it was hilarious. After they got across the road, they flew up into their roost.

[Squirrelhunter91]

I wouldn't have been able to keep myself from laughing! I have never seen that before.

[Andrea]

[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't have been able to keep myself from laughing! I have never seen that before.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, I sure wish I had it on video. I'd be about $10,000 richer.

[redbeard]

They probably were "playin". As far as the single file goes, that's usually the method they use in the fall. Did you go to the dirt trail and see if possibly they were jumpin' over a yellow jacket bee ground nest or the like?

[buckifan21]

haha that is funny. i love animals.. you never know what you'll see

[WhiteHead]

might have been a salt lick, and burn their feet?????

[Andrea]

[ QUOTE ]
They probably were "playin". As far as the single file goes, that's usually the method they use in the fall. Did you go to the dirt trail and see if possibly they were jumpin' over a yellow jacket bee ground nest or the like?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I never went over there. I had a pretty good view from where I was. They were only about 30 yards away. I can't believe they didn't see me!!!!

That's a good question though and would make good sense for hopping like that.