Dumb Question

[Doc]

How does a turkey know where to scratch to find acorns under the leaves?

 

As you can tell, I am not much of a turkey hunter, but I know that deer can smell acorns under the leaves and they go right for them. But This idea of a turkey kind of being able to do the same thing made me wonder if they might have a developed sense of smell that nobody really talks about. Yes, I know they scratch up some huge areas some times and maybe it is just luck. But something tells them where the acorns might be, even though they are completely hidden from view.

 

Any thoughts?

[jrm]

I don't know much about turkey, but I was under the impression they did not have much of a sense of smell.

 

From what I have been told, they do have good eyesight. Complete guess - maybe they are able to recognize the trees that drop acorns. "The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree."

 

 

(With my luck, someone will point out that there is "no such thing" as a dumb question - only dumb answers.)

Edited September 5, 2014 by jrm

[VT Outfitter]

I am not sure Doc. I guess I never thought about it before. I just notice where they have scratched around and made note of it for turkey season planning. Is it possible that they can see and identify an exposed acorn, then start scratching for more? How about remembering where they ate acorn or beechnuts the year before, is that possible? Great topic for discussion I think.

[Lawdwaz]

Ever seen a baby squirrel ?

Questions we need answers to..........!!

[turkeyfeathers]

I'm going with dumb luck on their part. Maybe just habit to scratch. Not sure about how great a memory they have. How many times have guys gotten busted, alarm putt, waited them out and tipped that same bird over hours later. 

[ants]

I think they just scratch as they go along until they find something. Then they probably remember that area, and return to it until the food is all eaten. 

[518BowSlayer]

I think they see 1 or 2 on top and then scratch the whole area. just a guess though

[gfdeputy2]

Though their sense of smell is poor they still can smell something close to them

they also have a great sense of touch in their feet & beaks along with the great sense of hearing & sight

[PREDATE]

They're scratching for alot more than acorns. Bugs, salamanders, nuts, tender plant shoots, etc.

[Doc]

From what I've read, they really aren't the smartest critters. protected with natural instinctive senses and reactions, but probably not really great for remembering places and things. The idea of random scratching makes a lot of sense. I have seen some super large areas torn up, but also, I have come across some smaller turfed up areas that looked rather targeted. I am wondering of perhaps they might be able to feel them through the leaves with their feet.

 

I don't know. It's just one of those questions that come on me while I am wandering around and see different things.

[Doc]

Ok, I just did some quick Google-work, and forget about the turkeys having any serious sense of smell. Right off the bat, I ran into a whole pile of places that just flat-out said they have no specially developed sense of smell. So that thought is out the window. Good thing too. That sense of sight is a pretty good defense against hunters. If they had a developed sense of smell, you probably would never get one ..... lol.