Turkeys in the yard . . . a better way?

[2LaneCruzer]

Get yourself a Boston Terrier. They will not only keep the turkeys away, but birds, squirrels, feral cats and deer.

 

[JethroB]

I once had a similar problem with geese in the yard. Poop machines. I tried the motion activated sprinkler (did ok, probably got me more times than them). Chasing them with a toy remote controlled pickup was fun.

 

[the old grind]

If you have cattails near water and near the garden expect red wing blackbirds to chase turkeys away, also crows, hawks, and shore fishermen.

 

[bmaverick]

While it is immensely entertaining to watch my wife chase turkeys out of the yard while throwing pine cones and yelling, I am wondering if there is not a more efficient way to keep them out. This morning we counted 31. They seem quite comfortable coming through a few times every day. And they are now also setting off our gate alarm (about 850' away) so that is also a bit annoying. We don't mind them too much, but recently they have decided my wife's flower beds is the place they prefer.

The dog doesn't seem that interested unless we are also chasing them. Not a huge problem, but just interested in options.

Anything that goes Woof or bow-wow or barks. They will keep a good distance away from garden beds. Now, you will find puppy dug holes in those garden beds otherwise.

 

[oosik]

I have large flocks of those @#$% birds. I'm most careful to not have anything outside that they might like to eat or drink. Lady down the road started feeding them. She had to give up when they ate more than 50# per week. Every day - scoop and wash a ton on Turkey crap off her porch. They liked to gather and roost on her porch.

Her final straw - they dug up her entire lawn and flower beds. A flock of turkey can do as much damage as a group of Texas wild hogs. They are always digging - looking for something to eat.

She lived right on the county road. It was always a PITA when passing her house. You best slow way down or risk hitting one of those stupid turkeys.

Every time I see them - run out and yell at them. They run away. Haven't seen any in a couple months. Maybe they got tired of me yelling at them.

Long ago we cooked one. VERY tough. Supposedly better if you cook in a deep oil cooker.

 

[Thomas]

Find out why what the turkey's want doing try eliminate it.

 

[ericm979]

Turkeys like dirt that is easy to dig in. Both for finding seeds and bugs to eat, and to dust bathe.

I have a sprinkler system on the lawn and a remote controller. When I have reseeded the lawn the turkeys come and dig it up and eat grass seed. I've used the sprinkler remote to activate zones the turkeys are in. They learn that the sprinklers are not a threat and move just out of range. When I activate the next set of sprinklers they lesiurely move on. They come back a few hours later. It does not seem like much of a deterrent.

Deer on the other hand get really upset by the sprinklers persecuting them, run away and don't come back for a day or two.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

12 gauge, full choke, 3" No. 4's seem to be a pretty good deterrent. Winchester used to make a duplex 4x6 shot in a 3" that shot a fantastic pattern out of my old Remington with the extended full choke. Was still a turkey hammer at 50 yards.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

12 gauge, full choke, 3" No. 4's seem to be a pretty good deterrent. Winchester used to make a duplex 4x6 shot in a 3" that shot a fantastic pattern out of my old Remington with the extended full choke. Was still a turkey hammer at 50 yards.

Ah... another "if you don't like it... Kill it". I will only agree with your assessment during open season, and within game limits.

 

[BravoXray]

Shoot one or two and the rest will get the message.

And let them lay there for a few days, then they really get the message. Works good for geese too.