[EBB Sightings] attack of the killer turkeys

For those of us who are seeing more and more turkeys in their
neighborhoods, a cautionary note from a friend of mine, Kris Lutey, who
lives up in Cool, CA (in the Sierra foothills). Wild turkeys are well
established there. She lives in a large, gated community that includes
extensive oak and pine woodlands. In fact, this is the same area (Auburn
Hills) where the woman jogger was killed by a mountain lion several
years back. Maybe it's something in the water. 

I have never heard of this kind of direct aggression before. Here is her
note:

"My brother in law was visiting from Michigan a few weeks ago and went
for an early evening walk around our area with his 5 year old son. Along
the way they came upon a gaggle of turkeys lurking about on the road. We
have a lot of turkeys around here, these were Toms and hens and older
chicks in a group of at least 15/20. They were close to Bobby and
Richard enuf that Richard (the 5 year old) mentioned to his dad that he
thought they should get moving. Dad was just intrigued by the sight and
lingered. A bit too long perhaps as the more aggressive turkey toms came
very close and then one actually jumped on Bobby's back, planting his
feet on his back. He had the feet marks to prove it on his jacket.
Suffice to say that they moved away, quickly and the turkeys followed a
ways.
He never had this happen before but in California, anything can happen."

Although Kris walks these trails on a daily basis, she has never had a
problem with the local wildlife, other than the landscape munching deer.
Of course, she always has her dogs with her. 

Debbie Viess
Oakland, CA