Last year, I got to visit the National Wild Turkey Federation in Old 96 District. I love all of the work that this group does to help manage the population of wild turkeys. They really are amazing animals. Did you know that wild turkeys can do a lot of cool things that you might not even be aware of like fun up to 25 MPH? Read on to learn about why they are known as the Olympians of the Woods.
Meet The Olympians Of The Woods In Old 96 District
As the world’s best athletes compete at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, the Olympian of the Woods, may be taking flight near you. With five species located across North America (every state but Alaska), the wild turkey is known as the Olympian of the Woods with running speeds of 25 MPH and flight speeds exceeding 55 MPH.
In the 1930s, the North American wild turkey population fell to less than 30,000. Today, due to the conservation and wildlife management efforts of the National Wild Turkey Federation, population levels are at 6.2 million and rising. It’s a comeback story any species would be proud to gobble about one of Olympic proportions.
As the state game bird in Alabama, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and South Carolina, the wild turkey is celebrated at the Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, SC. It’s the ONLY museum in the world dedicated to the restoration, management and hunting of the wild turkey. Here, the story of the American wild turkey unfolds through 7,200 square feet of interactive displays and exhibits.
Amazing dioramas of the five species of the wild turkey in North American provide the backdrop for the museum housed within the national headquarters for the National Wild Turkey Federation. The museum boasts the world’s largest collection of turkey calls, including the world’s largest turkey call. Animatronic story tellers draw in children and adults with their tales of turkey prowess and safe hunting tips. Visitors can step inside the USDA
Forest Service helicopter where video and the vibrations of the helicopter swooping over the burn site is simulated. At the virtual reality theater, you’re transported to the break of dawn on a spring morning as you hear the sounds and see the sights of the woods waking up. Watch out for the turkeys flying off their roost!
