Wild turkeys respond to rain by seeking open fields or flooded areas rather than staying deep in dense woods. This behavior is driven by several factors:

• Movement and Feeding: During and after rain, turkeys often move into flooded fields or open areas to feed on swampy insects, grubs, worms, and other invertebrates brought to the surface by the wet conditions. These open spaces provide abundant food sources that are easier to access when the ground is saturated

• Protection and Sensory Adaptation: Turkeys' eyesight and hearing are less effective during rain because raindrops and wet leaves obscure vision and mask sounds. To compensate, turkeys huddle or move into open fields where they can better detect predators visually, as their feathers are waterproof but wet vegetation would slow escape. Open areas also allow better airflow to help dry their feathers faster

• Roosting and Shelter: In heavy rain, turkeys may delay leaving their roosts until the rain subsides. When rain is persistent, they often seek thick cover such as under pine trees or dense brush to shield themselves from wind and rain

• Behavioral Changes: Turkeys may gobble less during heavy rain but become more vocal and active during breaks or after rain stops. Gobblers often use these times to strut and call from high points or open fields, taking advantage of the softened ground and reduced noise for concealment and movement

In summary, turkeys in the rain tend to move to open, flooded, or edge habitats to feed and stay alert, using their waterproof feathers and sensory adaptations to manage wet conditions while minimizing risk from predators. They seek shelter during heavy rain but become active and vocal as the rain lets up