Wild Turkeys Go Postal!

Source:Mossy Oak

Mass. Turkeys Go Postal, Attack Mail Carrier   February 24, 2009

Those charged with carrying and delivering the U.S. Mail pledge to do so in spite of wind and rain; sleet or snow.

 But when they’re attacked by wild turkey gobblers, that’s where some draw the line.

 

A Massachusetts post office has suspended regular delivery to some homes after a mail carrier was repeatedly harassed and chased by a flock of aggressive wild turkeys for several weeks—with two notorious gobblers serving as ringleaders.

 

Rockport, Mass. Post Office Delivery Manager Tim Russell told the Gloucester Daily Times days ago that slippery sidewalks and territorial dogs are common challenges for his carriers, but over the 22 years he’s worked for the U.S. Postal Service, he’s never seen anything quite like this.

 

“Some of the neighbors said their dogs have been attacked, but mostly it’s just been our postal truck,” said Russell. “They chase the truck down the street—two males in particular—it’s just unbelievable.”

 

For the past several weeks, Russell said his carrier tried several different strategies, like parking his truck in different spots or altering the time of day he delivered the mail to that area, but the terrible tom turkeys saw through his ruse every time.

 

“Last week, people had to intervene so (he) could get back to his truck,” Russell told the newspaper. “He was trying to wave a bag full of mail at the turkeys as he ran when some folks pulled over to shoo the turkeys away.”

 

As a last ditch effort, Postmaster Bob Kerrigan said they would heed the advice of a local game warden and try arming the carrier with an umbrella. Capt. John Tulik of the Massachusetts Environmental Police said to prove dominance over a charging gobbler, the carrier should open an umbrella toward the bird, which will make it think it’s facing another dominant male.