Reub's journey

11 January 2013

Men in black



 Shortly after John left for work this morning there was a phone call from him warning me that it was "dangerous out there."  There was black ice everywhere, streets that looked like merely wet asphalt in the sun were actually coated with sheets of ice. So I stayed put.



Actually, to be more precise, I went out and played with the dogs on a nearby hill.




When I came back I heard the noisy resident turkeys crossing the road in front of the house, disregarding the melting ice. I bet there were 50 of them, streaming up the neighbor's driveway like they were going to a party. I laughed, but as I went to grab my camera Ed and Reub started going crazy.


I usually make them be quiet when they bark madly through the window by the front door.


But this time they were barking at two men in black, carrying guns, peering up the driveway where the turkeys had hurried off. I let the dogs bark because it's not a bad thing for your dogs to dislike armed men in front of your house, right?



Well, they were police officers. I've known for a long time that, besides keeping the peace, the local police are charged with lowering the turkey population. I've just never seen them in action. Would they shoot into my yard?




No. The turkeys must know this because they traveled into the neighbors' yards and back into ours.




Meanwhile the police cruised back and forth, hunting the nearest thing we have to criminals around here. I never heard a shot, but then I haven't gone outside since. I really am staying put now.



26 comments:

  1. Whatever you do don't wear a sweater with a bull's eye on it.

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    1. Haha Stephen! Now that would be asking for it!

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  2. Cops don't stand a chance with Reub.

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  3. had no idea the police would be out shooting turkeys!

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    1. Of all the things they have to do I bet this is one of the most fun.

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  4. I am glad you let the dogs bark their warning.

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    1. The dogs were delighted: "FINALLY we get to BARK as loud as we WANT!!!"

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  5. Police hunting down turkeys? What's the world coming to? Sounds dangerous to me. Yikes.

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    1. Yeah. But they didn't shoot into anybody's yard; I'm sure they're very careful. At least today with my dogs going bananas the whole time!

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  6. Looks like you live in a wonderful area and your dogs are great. Around here there a limits on the number of wild turkey anyone can shoot which is strange if the turkey population needs to be reduced. It would freak me out to see Men in Black at the end of our driveway. Yikes!

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    1. I got all excited when I saw the Men in Black! Otherwise it might have been a dull day.

      The first turkey I saw here was in the fall of 1998: 2 babies and a hen. For awhile I fed them corn until I realized it was mistake. The local population is huge now. They can't really allow hunters into this area because we're within city limits, so it falls to the police to thin them out.

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  7. Puppycide by police officer is nauseatingly common these days. Best to keep them inside if you see any signs the police may be around.

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    1. The thought occurred to me & they stayed safely indoors.

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  8. I thought black ice was some kind of combination of drugs originating from Mexico :) And what were 50 turkeys doing out in the open noisily jaunting around ? Are they wild ones or reared by someone as pets ?
    You post read like one nice long interesting story.

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    1. Hahaha RR! For all I know maybe you're right about alternative meanings of "black ice."

      The turkeys are wild, although not native to this region. They were introduced to Oregon in 1975 & have been spreading ever since. They can be destructive. This is an interesting article about them:

      http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2011/04/oregons_wild_turkeys_are_sprea.html

      As noted in the article some police jurisdictions have the right to destroy problem flocks. I forgot to say that they donate the meat to food banks, which is a good thing.

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  9. I think I'd rather take my chances with black ice! Sorta. :) Glad to know your babies are on the job. I love the photo of the turkeys with the moss-covered branches.

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    1. Thanks Hilary! The dogs wish this would happen more often.

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    1. "bout time there was a little excitement around here.

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  11. Good dogs. Keep your eyes open and warn the turkeys when the gunmen are coming!
    Morgan, Sebastian, the Porties and the noisy pups

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    1. Exactly! The turkeys didn't realize what good friends they had in Ed& Reub!

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  12. Gobblers are more and more present here in southern Ontario, too. But not so numerous that they have to keep an eye out for cops....

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    1. Well, watch out! Turkey Patrol. If it happened here it could happen anywhere!

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