Finding turkeys in wetlands is no surprise due to the abundance of food, but Hatfield explains that once hen turkeys begin actively nesting, the birds may shift to upland sites away from frequently flooded areas.
"Turkeys will feed on mast crops, like acorns, on the edges of sloughs and swamps, and they can be found there year round," Hatfield says. "It's very similar to seeing
wood ducks venture into the bottomland hardwoods to feed. But due to turkey breeding behavior, they are more commonly found in open areas like agricultural fields in the spring."