TURKEYS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

February 26, 2013 In The Wild No Comments

I received a phone call yesterday from a woman who lives in a neighborhood just north of Zorinsky Lake in west Omaha concerning problematic wild turkeys. We have a lot of wild turkeys in and around Omaha, and, as some of you know, they are not wary of us humans. In fact, as neat as they are to see, turkeys may become a nuisance by roosting on roofs, in trees near homes, and on decks, and they are known to occasionally damage painted automotive surfaces. Some turkeys, usually the yearling males (jakes), about this time of year, become aggressive and may chase homeowners, children and pets. Still even more wild turkeys find neighborhood streets to their liking and ignore traffic causing you to be vigilant for them!

So, all that stated. Here are some great tips from our friends in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources along with added information from our Game and Parks Upland Game Program Manager Jeff Lusk on how to coexist with North America’s largest upland game bird in urban/suburban areas.

WILD TURKEYS

Avoiding common problems

Don’t raise and release turkeys. Pen-reared birds pose a potential disease threat to wild turkey populations, as well as other domestic poultry.
Don’t feed turkeys. Keep wild things wild! Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause turkeys to act tame and may lead to bold or aggressive behavior, especially in the breeding season.
Keep bird feeder areas clean. Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground, as the seed attracts turkeys and other wild animals. Clean up spilled seed from other types of feeders daily. Temporarily discontinue feeding birds if turkeys are a nuisance. Remove feeders in the spring, as there is plenty of natural food available for all birds.
Do not allow turkeys to be comfortable in the presence of people; consistently chase turkeys away from your residence. Don’t let turkeys intimidate you. Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten a bold, aggressive turkey with non-injurious means like loud noises, swatting with a broom or water sprayed from a hose or large squirt gun. A dog on a leash is also an effective deterrent. Each and every turkey must view all humans as dominant in the pecking order and respond to them as superiors rather than subjects!
Cover windows or other reflective objects If a turkey is pecking at a shiny object such as a vehicle or window, cover or otherwise disguise the object. Harass the bird by chasing it, squirting with a hose or other means of aggression.
Protect your gardens and crops. You can harass turkeys searching for food in your gardens. Dogs tethered on a run can also be effective in scaring turkeys away from gardens. Carefully placing the appropriate netting around the garden is another option to employ. In agricultural situations, some scare devices are effective. Motion activated sprinklers are available which can sometimes be effective.
Educate your neighbors. Pass this information along: Your efforts will be futile if neighbors are providing food for turkeys or neglecting to act boldly towards the birds. It requires the efforts of the entire neighborhood to help keep wild turkeys wild!

Here’s a link for specific details about the wild turkey in Nebraska: http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/wildlife/wildlife_species_guide/wildturkey1.asp Feel free to contact your nearest Game and Parks Commission Office if you need more information.