Dedham Residents Being Attacked by Turkeys, What to Do If You Get Pecked
If you haven’t noticed lately, Massachusetts is under attack by turkeys. Wild turkeys have become pretty aggressive in certain areas in the state, some more than others. There have been noticeable upticks in turkey attacks like this one on a mail carrier in Cambridge:
Here’s an interesting fact about wild turkeys here in Massachusetts. Did you know that wild turkeys are the official game bird of Massachusetts? You can learn more about why they are so populated here and the laws created to protect them HERE.
Why has there been an uptick in turkey attacks? Partially because the turkey population has grown. There are currently 25,000 wild turkeys currently that reside in Massachusetts. Something else you may not know. Turkeys are attracted to shiny objects. Hubcaps on cars and windows being two of them. They apparently become aggressive when the see their reflection.
So what should you do if a turkey gets aggressive with you? According to the Mass.gov, don’t hesitate to scare turkeys off with loud noises. You can also swat at them with an object or spray them with a hose. If you have a dog on a leash, that can also be a deterrent. Also, make sure you don’t have extra food laying around. Make sure any and all trash is picked up so they aren’t tempted to eat anything. These turkeys are hungry birds. Also, DO NOT CHASE TURKEYS. The point is, you need to establish that you are on a higher level mentally and physically than the birds. There are other suggestions too like lighting off fireworks since loud noises scare them. Another suggestion is to find an umbrella and open it.
Regardless, wild turkeys aren’t going anywhere. Be on guard. Be careful. And if you get pecked, make sure someone has a phone to hit record, because you just may become the next viral TikTok star.
