Detroit-area woman stalked by aggressive turkey

An Oakland County woman says she's become a prisoner on her own property, stalked and harassed by a 25-pound turkey.

Edna Geisler calls the foul bird "Godzilla." The 69-year-old told the Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/xzbbJI ) that the turkey wanders near her Commerce Township property each day from nearby woods. She recently couldn't get to her front door after a trip to the grocery store.

"I have to go to the post office at 6 o'clock in the morning to avoid him," said Geisler, who has been bumped and clawed.

She has tried changing her schedule but this turkey is no dummy. A friend, Rick Reid, said the turkey went after him, too, when he opened the door on his minivan.

"He tried to come right in the door," Reid said. "He bit me on the elbow."

Indeed, a video posted online by the Free Press shows Godzilla roaming the grounds like they're his own. State wildlife expert Tim Payne said adult turkeys are known to aggressively defend their territory, although most fear people.

"This bird has probably attacked, and the person retreats," said Payne of the Department of Natural Resources. "What it tells the bird is, 'What I'm doing is good.' It reinforces the aggressive behavior."

Payne suggested Geisler open a large umbrella to drive the turkey back to the woods.

"Make some runs at the bird and become the aggressor," he said. "The bird needs to learn who's the boss."

Geisler wants the turkey gone by summer so she can work in her garden. The hunting season opens in April.

"Every time I eat turkey I smile," she said. "I'd like to do that to him."