Explosive Numbers of Wild Turkeys Causing Havoc

June 11, 2015

Question: I live in the San Francisco East Bay and in my neighborhood there has been an explosion in the numbers of wild turkeys roaming freely and they are causing havoc wherever they go! These birds destroy flower beds and yards with their endless search for food. They relieve themselves frequently leaving a mess able to be tracked into peoples’ residences and family vehicles. A small child’s toys may even come into contact with their biological waste. These turkeys travel in large groups. I have even counted two separate groups numbering 25 large turkeys. They don’t have many natural predators except maybe larger dogs, but the turkeys steer clear of those yards. Cats only fear them. The only predator that can make a difference is MAN. Any suggestions? (Jimmy W.)

Answer: There are a few things that you and your neighbors can do. First of all, do whatever you can to discourage them from getting too comfortable on your property and becoming permanent residents. Talk to all of your neighbors to make sure no one is feeding or providing them water (e.g. fountains, dog dishes, bird baths, etc.). Also, make sure no one is leaving pet food out. You and your neighbors can always try hazing them with non-lethal methods, such as a quick spray with a hose or a motion-detecting sprinkler.

To curtail the problems with unwanted droppings under their roosts, remove the areas where they perch or else use bird spikes to make perches inhospitable. You can also try stringing visible lines to disrupt their flight paths. If none of these actions prove effective and the turkeys are causing substantial property damage, and if you’ve exhausted all other methods, your last option may be to contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for  issuance of a depredation permit to authorize the lethal removal of the turkeys. Relocating turkeys is not an option.

June 11, 2015

Question: I live in the San Francisco East Bay and in my neighborhood there has been an explosion in the numbers of wild turkeys roaming freely and they are causing havoc wherever they go! These birds destroy flower beds and yards with their endless search for food. They relieve themselves frequently leaving a mess able to be tracked into peoples’ residences and family vehicles. A small child’s toys may even come into contact with their biological waste. These turkeys travel in large groups. I have even counted two separate groups numbering 25 large turkeys. They don’t have many natural predators except maybe larger dogs, but the turkeys steer clear of those yards. Cats only fear them. The only predator that can make a difference is MAN. Any suggestions? (Jimmy W.)

Answer: There are a few things that you and your neighbors can do. First of all, do whatever you can to discourage them from getting too comfortable on your property and becoming permanent residents. Talk to all of your neighbors to make sure no one is feeding or providing them water (e.g. fountains, dog dishes, bird baths, etc.). Also, make sure no one is leaving pet food out. You and your neighbors can always try hazing them with non-lethal methods, such as a quick spray with a hose or a motion-detecting sprinkler.

To curtail the problems with unwanted droppings under their roosts, remove the areas where they perch or else use bird spikes to make perches inhospitable. You can also try stringing visible lines to disrupt their flight paths. If none of these actions prove effective and the turkeys are causing substantial property damage, and if you’ve exhausted all other methods, your last option may be to contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for  issuance of a depredation permit to authorize the lethal removal of the turkeys. Relocating turkeys is not an option.

I'd like to "relocate" them to the freezer. smoker or fryer 

 
Must be nice having to worry about something like this.

NCKA night ops in SFO!?!?! Gobble Gobble YUM!

My neighborhood (Albany, near the "Mound") is getting ravaged by turkeys. They are BOLD, and stand their ground against pedestrians and cars. I could have walked up and kicked this one if I wanted....

Use a # 7 iron or a pitching wedge....when no one is looking

Haha! I don't want to end up on the news like those twisted kids who went on a chicken golfing rampage.

I'd like to "relocate" them to the freezer. smoker or fryer 

+1 

thare are manyO'flock here in Hercules,,,,,,i have hand fed them and saved a few of the chicks from being seperated from the flock. They are ugly as ugly gets....but who am i to judge.  The numbers grow each season,,,,,they do use the walkways and crosswalks regularly.

Pellet gun

thare are manyO'flock here in Hercules,,,,,,i have hand fed them and saved a few of the chicks from being seperated from the flock. They are ugly as ugly gets....but who am i to judge.  The numbers grow each season,,,,,they do use the walkways and crosswalks regularly.

I was always tempted to grab one of the Hercules birds for table fare, then you remember they are grazing on the toxic pastures of the dynamite factory and oil storage containers.  Most of the new developments there don't even allow you to grow edible plants in the ground due to the health hazards.

Hunting license and pellet gun.

thare are manyO'flock here in Hercules,,,,,,i have hand fed them and saved a few of the chicks from being seperated from the flock. They are ugly as ugly gets....but who am i to judge.  The numbers grow each season,,,,,they do use the walkways and crosswalks regularly.

I was always tempted to grab one of the Hercules birds for table fare, then you remember they are grazing on the toxic pastures of the dynamite factory and oil storage containers.  Most of the new developments there don't even allow you to grow edible plants in the ground due to the health hazards.

Ahhhh!!!! That's some scary shit right there!!!!! I'd be movin to weimar (oh, that's right I did!!!!)

night vision goggle and a snare req

Hunting license and pellet gun.

Why even bother with a hunting license if you're already breaking the law???