I've been addicted to wild turkeys since 1981. When we moved to our new house 13 years ago I never thought a flock of wild turkeys lived in the woods out back.
For the last three years the winter flock has been growing. 10 in 2010 and 22 in 2011.
I went home early the other day. While driving down our street I could see a few turkeys in our backyard. When I got in the house I saw six. When I came downstairs I counted 26 and they were still coming. When it was all said and done there were 43 wild turkeys in our 1/3 of an acre. Two were long beard toms.
The Big Guy in the sky was smiling down on me that day.
And the funny thing is I'd rather drive 60 miles to hunt turkeys in the mountains than harm a feather of our backyard flock.
I tried to take their picture. The flash reflected off the window. So as I am opening the window it squeaked. 43 heads pop up in unison. They didn't stay long.
