Turkeys in the yard . . . a better way?

[oosik]

Shoot a "bird" of any kind/type around here - you are just producing coyote food. You will not discourage the turkeys or geese. However - you will befriend the coyotes.

You shoot many - there is a place for you and they provide the PJ for free.

 

[the old grind]

So no trapping and relocating?

 

[oosik]

Sure - they can be trapped. But where are they to be relocated. They are everywhere here in the PNW. Maybe Texas. A battle - hogs v turkeys.

Maybe a trade with CA. One turkey for five CA quail.

 

[the old grind]

OK, relocate to freezer, put out coyote decoy and move it daily to deter, or volunteer to show us why a 12 Ga AR is such a gotta-have.

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btw, nutria headed your wa .. no wait, they're already in Washington.

 

[bmaverick]

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

Depending on the state and local jurisdictions, one can hunt on the property all year long and in few instances with no quota.

Airports use sound cannons that sound like the 12Ga going off. The sound cannon is both time and motion sensitive.
There is a bar next to an airport in FL. It's called birds-be-gone. People are there for the drinks, music and to see the birds fly away after the sound cannon sends out a shockwave. Next to the bar's entry door is a posting that says hearing protection is recommended. LOL

 

[Doughknob]

OK, relocate to freezer,

 

[bmaverick]

So no trapping and relocating?

They are birds. You trap and relocate them up to 500 miles away, they will be back in your yard in 24 hours. Recall, birds migrate and know where home base is. Sort of like seniors with the home in the north and a summer home in the south.

 

[bmaverick]

OK, relocate to freezer,

I've had wild turkey for Thanksgiving once in my life. No, not the liquor kind. What a hard time to get the quills out, IF you can get them all out. Their meat is like all dark meat for much of the bird. It's a gamey taste too. If hard up in troubling times, then yes. Otherwise, I would go for wild ducks instead. Much better to process and better tasting grilled.

We have 3 turkey herds (flocks) in my area. Each flock is about 20+ birds. They keep clear of the gardens and the home as the herding dogs keep them away really nicely.

I've successfully kept the flocks away with the shotgun with a loud blast over the top of them. They stay away for up to 3 days. But, ammo isn't cheap, so I've trained the herding dogs to make running passes at them and to bark a few times. I can afford doggie treats better than the scarce and pricey ammo.

 

[beowulf]

I don't think trapping is a viable option. There are too many and it would be like starting a new career. Every time we chase them out they return within 5-15 minutes. Just now I fired two shot gun blasts over their heads. Got their attention and they scattered and ran. We will see how long that will deter them.

As to what attracts them - I think there is just more to eat within a green lawn inside our fences than outside, and they have decided they like the pool water. Outside the fences there is basically nothing - the guy that grazes his cows here has let them eat down the grazing to dirt - being discussed - another story for another day.

 

[ultrarunner]

The local flock disappeared when a family of Coyotes moved in…