I guess Shoreview has a little Turkey problem

[leech~~]

I just hear the Mayor of Shoreview on the news saying that they have a big Turkey problem in their city and that the plan is to trap and euthanize (sp?) Kill 75 Turkeys! But they are going to give them to the food shelves. What? We spend money traping and relocating Turkeys all over the state in the last 20-30 years and they are just going to kill them! If they go as far as getting them in a trap, why can't they let the DNR relocate them, they aren't tamed birds!

Heck if they trap them, throw them in a cardboard box and I will relocate them down to zone 349 for FREE!

[DonBo]

I'm with ya leech. Too much time and expense getting wild turkeys to all the places they are today. Too much to just let some politition with no clue to just go and off 'em.

I know there are unused transportation boxes just waiting to be filled with some more birds and relocated somewhere where they will be appreciated.

[paintbrush]

Totally agree with both of you on this one. If you can trap them, then why not relocate them?. I'm sure they can get enough NWTF guys to help out to transport them for free. But you know that our DNR will come up with some lame excuse why this can't be done. Lots of areas that can use fill in birds.Bring them up my way, Brainerd area, we can still use birds north and east of town. I'll help in relocating them. They are still wild birds after all!

[Dave S]

Count me in too. If there's a surplus population, let's trap and transplant. There are several areas in the state that have seen their share of mortality due to numerous factors over the past few years.

[birdswacker]

I could use 1 in front of my 13yo. son on April 26th doesn't even have to be a long beard a jake will work just fine.

I'm all in for transplant also.

Someone should get a petition going on this?

[leech~~]

I could use 1 in front of my 13yo. son on April 26th doesn't even have to be a long beard a jake will work just fine.

I'm all in for transplant also.

Someone should get a petition going on this?

I guess we could all start sending the DNR an email with our thoughts or the Gov's office or the Mayor of Shoreview herself!

[bluehat28]

I sent my email to the DNR today.

[leech~~]

I sent my email to the DNR today.

Here's the reply I got from the NWTF. I told him more replies would be on there way!

Mr. Andrusko:

Yours is the second letter I’ve received on this topic. Below is the response that our Regional Biologist Dave Neu sent to the other e-mail.

I have copied Dave on this e-mail, so you converse directly with him.

Brent

While I have not heard of this particular nuisance situation, it has become quite a common occurrence across the country.

As humans encroach into formerly "wild" areas, urban/suburban turkey (and other wildlife) problems arise. The turkeys get accustomed to humans, and no longer view them as a threat. Much of the predator avoidance behavior is learned, and when there are fewer predators, the turkeys don't learn to fear much. This can lead to aggressive behavior toward humans, especially by the young males.

Feeding, whether intentionally directed at turkeys or not, keeps them in the area. When they have a reliable, steady source of food they don't have to spend much time foraging. This "free time" can also lead to nuisance behavior such as loitering in yards, defecating on rooftops, scratching cars, etc.

Urban areas have significantly less nest predators than natural turkey nesting areas. Thus, urban turkey populations tend to grow much more quickly than their wild counterparts and quickly rise to nuisance numbers.

Removing the turkeys, either by allowing limited hunting or by hiring a sharpshooter, is a legitimate, viable option and can help to curtail the problem. It will bring the number of turkeys down, and it will also "educate" the remaining birds that humans are predators and should be avoided. However, population reduction alone won't work without a feeding ban. As long as there is a food attractant, turkeys will continue to use the area. Perhaps if the residents see that the city is serious about taking care of the nuisance turkeys, they will voluntarily stop providing food and an ordinance would not be necessary.

Since you are close to that situation, you may know of some other options available. Do you have any ideas, other than removal, that may work in that area?

Some people are more tolerant than others of urban wildlife. Turkeys can become a real nuisance at times, though.

The breeding season is about to begin in another month, and the hens don't usually initiate nesting until late April-May. They incubate after the clutch of 10-12 eggs is laid, and that is usually about 26 days. Hatching will be sometime in May or early June.

MN DNR has curtailed their trapping program for a couple years, but even so, they do not relocate nuisance birds. Since the behaviors of the turkeys are associated with humans, they would be more likely to become a nuisance wherever they are relocated and/or become easy prey for predators.

Good luck with your meeting. Be sure to bring up the feeding issue, eliminating that may stem the whole problem.

Dave Neu

Certified Wildlife Biologist

NWTF Senior Regional Wildlife Biologist

PO Box 83

De Pere, WI 54115

(920) 347-0312 Office

(920) 427-2335 Cell

Brent Lawrence

PR and Web Director

National Wild Turkey Federation

770 Augusta Rd.

Edgefield, SC 29824

[email protected]

Office - (803) 637-7682

Cell - (803) 480-1841

[setterguy]

While I agree with you guys that killing them and doing nothing is a waste, I don't know of a better outcome of a nuisance bird than to feed someone who is hungry. I'm all for getting birds in more areas but when they are in the metro where you can't hunt them anyway I think food shelves are a great idea.

[Jmnhunter]

why not have a special city bowhunt season? I heard its goign to cost the city around $2k

[goblueM]

bluehat, who at the DNR did you contact? Are they in any way involved with this? because I could see getting quite a bit of support for relocation, if that is a viable option

[DonBo]

I know the DNR and the NWTF are officialy done with their trap and transplant program in Minnesota. Not saying they couldn't still do some in special situations like this. It's also very hard to capture birds this time of year. That should have been done weeks ago during the hardest part of the winter. I still think it's the best option.

I also like the idea of a special hunt. If deer can be taken in metro areas there's no reason turkeys couldn't. Wouldn't it be better to charge someone for taking the turkeys as opposed to paying someone to rid them? Never did understand the mindset of paying professional sharpshooters when we'd be happy to pay for the privilege.

[leech~~]

bluehat, who at the DNR did you contact? Are they in any way involved with this? because I could see getting quite a bit of support for relocation, if that is a viable option

goblue, if you read the statement I posted above from the NWTF they said that the DNR doesn't think relocating them is a good option? Plus, that can use more of our money to trap and move other birds around. Kind of an expensive way to provide dinners for the homeless if you ask me.

[leech~~]

I know the DNR and the NWTF are officialy done with their trap and transplant program in Minnesota. Not saying they couldn't still do some in special situations like this. It's also very hard to capture birds this time of year. That should have been done weeks ago during the hardest part of the winter. I still think it's the best option.

I also like the idea of a special hunt. If deer can be taken in metro areas there's no reason turkeys couldn't. Wouldn't it be better to charge someone for taking the turkeys as opposed to paying someone to rid them? Never did understand the mindset of paying professional sharpshooters when we'd be happy to pay for the privilege.

Who are these professional Sharpshooters we keep hearing about? Uncle Bob and Grandpa Joe??

[mrklean]

i think a special city hunt would be great, do what they do with the city deer hunts it will be better then spending the money

[DonBo]

Who are these professional Sharpshooters we keep hearing about? Uncle Bob and Grandpa Joe??

Here's Outdoor Life's description of the "guy".

Outdoor Life first told you about Dr. Anthony DeNicola back in 2001. DeNicola is the co-founder and president of White Buffalo Inc., and an expert in population control of whitetails in suburban communities and city parks. He’s also the sharpshooter who killed all 44 deer on the Vassar property last week. That’s right—1 guy, 44 deer, 1 night.

Don't sound like a bad gig does it?

[Jmnhunter]

Who are these professional Sharpshooters we keep hearing about? Uncle Bob and Grandpa Joe??

USDA's APHIS

[Musky Buck]

What is the problem with these birds ? Eating too much birdseed or something ? I'd hate to think they just survived winter again and then we'll slaughter them before they get on their nests ? City hunt or find a group that would help relocate them. Playing devils advocate but does the city want the coyotes eradicated as well ? The geese ? Deer ? so if an animal or bird becomes rooted in a community....... JK, but I think there would be a better idea for those turkeys.

[GatorBait]

I know wisconsin uses snipers from the local pd swat teams to eliminate deer in instances such as this.

On the contrary, it's tough to see the turks eliminated like this, but a positive note is they aren't going to waste. Unfortunately, the feeding is probably to blame, which happens everywhere and is hard to control.

[goblueM]

the classic problem...

folks want to have green space, but don't want to deal with the associated animals utilizing the habitat.

i love it when people complain about deer eating their gardens but then raise holy he1l when plans for killing off the deer are revealed

[Tim_Anderson]

I used to have one of those fun sharpshooting jobs back in the late 80's and early 90's down in the twin cities. We did it in places like Arden Hills and North Oaks near Shoreview. I can tell you that there was alot of politics involved. Sometimes the military. Sometimes the University of Minnesota. Always the city government and DNR. I'll tell you what, there was some weird people and some strange thinking in those suburbs then, and it's probably even more crazy now. Left to ourselves, we could have easily eradicated the deer from certain areas, but we were supervised, and could only control them by taking certain deer or certain amounts of deer. So it's not necessarily Grandpa so and so, or a professional assassin. We were just students at the U of M getting paid 10 bucks an hour to shoot and/or trap deer. I've got some pretty fond memories of the whole deal!

BTW, we did the exact same thing with the deer twenty years ago. The DNR gave them to the food shelves, and they had a waiting list of people who wanted fresh venison for free. We killed them, cleaned them, and did necropsies to measure herd health and gather data for the U. Then the DNR came and got them.

As to the fate of the turkeys, I think this city wants this over and done with NOW. It would be nice if they would have a bow season as I'm sure the hunters would step up to the plate. Then they could have someone take care of the problem, enjoy the hunt, and make a little on the side. Too bad they'd rather pay a rediculous amount of money to just get it over with. What they don't understand is that it always winds up costing more. And, like the deer, the turkeys will be back... just a matter of time.

[Dave S]

Originally Posted By: leech~~

Who are these professional Sharpshooters we keep hearing about? Uncle Bob and Grandpa Joe??

Here's Outdoor Life's description of the "guy".

Outdoor Life first told you about Dr. Anthony DeNicola back in 2001. DeNicola is the co-founder and president of White Buffalo Inc., and an expert in population control of whitetails in suburban communities and city parks. He’s also the sharpshooter who killed all 44 deer on the Vassar property last week. That’s right—1 guy, 44 deer, 1 night.

Don't sound like a bad gig does it?

A former neighbor of mine did this for a living. Anything from sitting in a tree stand to hanging out the side of a helicopter to thin over populated game. He said they charged around $200 per animal.