What happend to this gobbler?

[chefrific]

My son was fortunate to bag a gobbler over the weekend and upon inspection I noticed his legs were cut up pretty bad. It was starting to scabb over in spots. Nowhere else on the turkey showed anything unusual. Just the legs. Not sure if this was from fighting or if this this bird had an encounter with a bobcat or coyote? Below is a picture. Curious to get some opinions. Thanks.



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[GobbleNut]

Most likely from fighting other gobblers....

[zelmo1]

Predator, trap or vehicle would be my guess. Could be fighting the other big boys too

[MISSISSIPPI Double beard]

Most likely from fighting other gobblers....

[Happy]

Fighting would be my guess as well. Could check for pellets also. Someone may have tried to tree trim him.

[dublelung]

I'd say it's from fighting other gobblers. Definitely not a trap and most likely not a predator.

[Jbird22]

Geez, that bound to have hurt when he walked.

[Shiloh]

FROSTBITE

[kyturkeyhunter4]

I would say from predators I killed one like that a couple of years ago.

[dublelung]

Upon looking again, it almost looks like he was tangled in a fence or something. Nobody know for sure but the gobbler and he ain't saying.  :-)

[saltysenior]

he was roosting in a tree that got hit by lighting ....

[Gobble!]

Never seen anything like that so I doubt fighting but anythings possible.

[Marc]

Never seen anything like that so I doubt fighting but anythings possible.

I agree, if it were from fighting, I would think such injuries would be more common...  And I cannot picture a scenario in a turkey fight that would cause such extensive damage to the back of the legs?

I agree with Dublelung in that it looks like he could have gotten tangled in a fence...  A few years back, I bumped some birds, and one ran through some downed (coiled) barbed wire...  She got caught up pretty good, and was trying to run and fly out in a panic...  I did not approach in fear of making the situation worse, and she was able to free herself....

I would think predator next...  Maybe a bobcat getting a hold of a flushing bird that escaped?

[tha bugman]

battle scars

[2eagles]

Should have asked Tom before you shot him.