Wild turkeys put Wisconsin drivers in a 'fowl' mood
MILWAUKEE - It is a question we keep asking, but cannot seem to answer… Why does the turkey keep crossing the road? Within the last week, wild turkeys have put drivers in a "fowl" mood – slowing them down on I-94.
As sirens blare and cars slow down on I-94, a Milwaukee County sheriff's deputy races to the scene. But this is not your everyday call. This one is when city life and wildlife collide. A wild turkey stopped traffic east of the Zoo Interchange during Wednesday's rush hour. It took about 30 minutes for deputies to remove the bird.
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"They see vehicles every day, and they essentially don’t see them as a threat," said Nathan Holoubek, DNR Wildlife Biologist.
Holoubek offered some insight on turkey traffic jams.
"As snow leaves, they start moving around a little more and leaving their main wintering areas," Holoubek said.
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The DNR said turkeys mostly explore and look for food. Holoubek's advice – if you see a turkey on the road, the best thing you can do is slow down.
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"They can get freaked out, run into traffic, instead of running away from traffic and then you just want to watch out for yourself, your own safety," Holoubek said.
A week ago, WisDOT cameras caught a turkey wandering on I-94 near 68th Street.
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As for what else you can do when you run across those fearless birds?
"Shooing them off is the best approach and that can be a little challenging for these urban turkey populations if they don’t have a real fear of humans," Holoubek said.
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The DNR said wild turkeys are mostly curious – and you will not see them as much once things start turning more green – because it will be breeding season.
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox6now.com/www.fox6now.com/content/uploads/2022/03/932/524/6P-MILWAUKEE-CO-TURKEYS-ON-FREEWAY-PKG_WITIf512_18_00.00.25.56.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Another note – do not feed the turkeys. The DNR said the birds are capable of finding their own food – and feeding them just makes them want to stick around.
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