The wild turkeys of California now inhabit about 18 percent of our state, and are a widely enjoyed upland game bird. Many Californians love watching them as well.
They can’t resist feeding those homeowners. When trouble starts, that is. Soon, a few stray tourists will become a herd of permanent residents who have lost their normal human fear.
Adult wild turkeys will kill flowers and vegetable gardens, leave their droppings on patios and decks, and roost on cars, scratching the paint, and weighing up to 20 pounds.
During the breeding season, turkeys may become aggressive, sometimes even attacking, threatening, and behaving aggressively towards humans.
Prevent issues from being too relaxed on your land by discouraging wild turkeys.
If turkeys begin feeding under hanging bird feeders, before the turkeys leave the field, remove the feeders.
Install motion-detecting sprinklers if turkeys are causing problems in your yard.
Usually, wild turkeys would not reach yards with dogs.
An open umbrella may help steer it out of your way if confronted by a wild turkey that has lost its fear of humans.
To kill wild turkeys that are causing property damage, depredation permits are necessary. Contact a Regional CDFW office to obtain a depredation permit.
Wild Turkey Populations Monitor
The wild turkey populations in California are stable and increasing. Hunting turkeys helps to manage their populations and retain their normal human wariness. Hunt wild turkeys on your land when it is safe and legal, or allow others to hunt them.
- It includes a hunting licence and an upland game bird stamp.
- Legal taking techniques include pistol, equipment for archery, or air rifle.
- From CDFW offices and online, seasons and other hunting regulations are open.
- Homeowners suffering property damage from wild turkeys can obtain from their Regional CDFW office a depredation permit.
