Expansion of wild turkeys into northern Minnesota defies what officials thought possible years ago

It was once thought turkeys would not survive the extreme cold and heavy snow of northern Minnesota. Half a century later, it’s apparent that those fears were unwarranted. Buoyed by additional releases, along with the species’ innate adaptability, wild turkeys can now be found just about everywhere in Minnesota. The lone exception might be the deep wilderness of the Arrowhead region, although turkeys have been reported near Ely.