Identification | Biology | Damage ID | Management | Handling

Overview of Damage Prevention
and Control Methods

Habitat Modification

• Not feasible.

Exclusion

• Netting
• Bird spikes

Frightening

• Mylar® strips
• Motion sensing sprinklers
• Propane cannons
• Radios
• Scarecrows
• Dogs

Repellents

• Methyl anthranilate

Toxicants

• None are available

Shooting

• Shotguns (12-gauge)

Trapping

• Drop nets or cannon nets

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Habitat Modification  

Habitat modification generally is not a feasible means of reducing conflicts with turkeys.  

Exclusion 

Netting is the best method to prevent access to sensitive areas by wild turkeys. To be effective, nets must cover stop access from all accessible sides, thereby making exclusion quite expensive and cumbersome to use.  

Use bird spikes or other ledge exclusion products to prevent turkeys from roosting in unwanted locations.  

Frightening Devices 

Short-term results may be obtained by hanging strips of Mylar® tape in locations where turkeys are not wanted. Motion sensing sprinklers, propane cannons, radios, and scarecrows also have shown some effectiveness. Move items every few days to reduce the likelihood of the turkeys habituating to them. Be sensitive to neighbors if using auditory frightening devices; these may not be allowed in some areas.

Some landowners have reported benefits from hazing turkeys with dogs and from patrols of individuals on all-terrain vehicles in rural areas. Be sure turkeys are not harmed when using any frightening technique.  

Repellents 

Products made with methyl anthranilate are available to disperse roosting birds and to protect blueberries, cherries, and grapes from bird damage.  

Toxicants 

None are available.  

Shooting 

Shooting is an effective way to manage turkeys. Shotguns (12-gauge) with #6 or heavier shot is effective for taking turkeys within 30 yards. Shooters are advised to test various loads and chokes to determine the best combination for their needs. Follow all safety and legal requirements before shooting.  

Trapping 

Large flocks of wild turkeys may be trapped using nets dropped from elevations or fired from cannons. Set nets in open areas along travel paths of the turkeys. Pre-bait the sites with corn (white or yellow) and sorghum to encourage turkeys to visit. Drop nets consist of 60- x 60-foot net with 2- x 2-inch mesh. Set the drop net at least 8 feet off the ground to reduce likelihood of turkey refusal. NetBlaster™ nets range in size with 60- x 40-foot net being the largest.   

Technicians should be available to remove captured turkeys quickly in order to reduce the risk of injury or capture myopathy to turkeys. This is a non-infectious condition in wild and domestic animals where extreme exertion, struggle, or stress causes muscle damage. Three technicians can handle up to 35 birds per capture.