turkeys and water
 

I was once told that turkeys despised water and would avoid it whenever possible. By water I am referring to swamps, marshes, etc... But this morning, while taking my father out to a field where I have consistently seen birds, there were 3 toms and about 6 hens just a wading through this swampy, wet mess near the field. We have had a good deal of rain here in Wisconsin lately, but do any of you have any views on turkeys and wet areas? Didn' t seem to bother these birds!

RE: turkeys and water
 

From what Ive seen, gobblers are more willing to walk through shallow water than hens are. Ive watched gobblers walk through 6 to 8 inches of standing water for short distances while the hens flew across or went around the same water.
Here in florida where there are alot of swamps and flat low coastal lands, I think the turkeys have pretty much gotten used to the wet conditions and arnt as timid to cross as would birds in normally higher, dryer areas/states.

RE: turkeys and water
 

I just saw a hen fly OVER a swampy area just last evening while scouting.

I' ve seen videos of toms walking through shallow water in the rain!

(Ever have a beautiful, shiny gobbler come in, blast him and watch him flop RIGHT into the nearest mud puddle ending up looking like Hell by the time you get to him?[:o])

RE: turkeys and water
 

as Benhunting said in Fla. they don' t mind the water to much.
I hunted one old bird for a whole season,he roosted about 150 yards out over water on the river.I watched him flydown into the water on two occasions.I though it was an island,so I went through the swamp,mud and water to me knees,just to get to more of the same.:(
he would fly down and wade water for about the last 100 yards to the hill.never the same way,Never did take him either![:' (];).

some birds in other areas I' ev hunted will not cross water,they just walk back and to.thats the ones you wait till he goes one way and you run around and go to the other end and wait on him.[X(][:-]

RE: turkeys and water
 

Turkeys don' t mind water at all. they love to roost over water. but you' d better hope your on the side of the water that he decides to fly down on, because they will hardley ever fly accross on your side after their on the ground. it' s a barrier, just like a thicket, a fence etc. but, no, they don' t mind gettin their feet wet.;)

RE: turkeys and water
 

i always hunt near water , always..........it has not stopped any of the birds i have seen....if it' s too deep , they just fly over it......the one bird i didnt see til he was right on top of me came splashin through like he was a 10 point buck....:D