Was out hunting this weekend and came across what appeared to be a wounded turkey.  Was so far gone it couldn't even get on its legs.  It expired as we got to it.  The bird appears to be a 3+ year old, 10" beard, and 1" spurs.  Odd thing is it had no body mass at all.  It appeared as if it hadn't eaten in an excessive period of time, and was totally emaciated.  There were no apparent trauma points, and its beak was really long (not worn down from picking).  Anybody hear of any kind of sickness that causes this?  Seems really odd to me.

What is really strange is that there are so many yotes on this property, I can't believe it was in this condition on the ground, and not attacked.

Thanks for any thoughts if you have them.

BobW

A friend of mine from Missouri killed one several years ago that was very similar to what you are describing.  Full grown bird, guessing it to be a 3 year old, and if I remember right over 1" spurs and probalbly only weighed 10 lbs. or so.  Mostly feathers and bone.  Obviously, we didn't eat it.  Never had any idea what caused it, but I can tell you it is very odd looking to see one like that.  I'll be watching this for maybe some causes from the experts.  Hey Bob, you stll shooting the crusader?

BOB

I raised wild turkeys and saw that with older toms.  I think it was just dying of "old age." On another note- birds do get sick and diseased at times.

I'm no expert by no means but I have gutted them before and found lots of worms in them. They could have got the best of it. Also it could have been wounded during turkey season and it finally took its toll.

Could be many things, but if the bird had been carrying a lead pellet or two for awhile and sepsis takes hold, it's all over.  Never seen a turkey go to dialysis!

QuoteOriginally posted by ArkyBob:
  Hey Bob, you stll shooting the crusader?

BOB

Yep!

Also could be one of several disease cconditions, found one a couple of years ago that had both eyes crusted over, he was also skin and bone from not feeding. I was also surprised he had not been killed by a predator because you could walk right up beside him if you were quite

Been sick on Wild Turkey a few times and wished I could die.

No doubt had some kind of injury to bring him to that point.

This guy was telling me that a bird can starve to death if it has no gravel in its crop? Did you have a bad winter where you live?

shot a hen last fall and it had a wound right on the small part of the breast,,like a huge scab found out later that poachers shot at them during the early archery season and couldnt recover them

Your local game and fish department could provide some insight. I've had them come look at numerous sick critters I've run across over the years.

probably black head disease, Bob.

I've had a couple at the camp...at first, they walk around like they're drunk...then it gets progressively worse and worse till they die.

Males of all species die during breeding season. Did he have a smile on his face?  

Ray,

Thanks, I looked it up.  It might be the answer, though that scares the heck out of me that it might "get loose" on the flock up here.....

We hit a real low in birds back a few years ago due to some wet and cold springs.  Has taken time to get good numbers back.  Hate to see this take them down again.

BobW

I killed a turkey this year that had several #4 shot in it, I wasn't shooting #4. All the shot was old and the wounds healed over it.