City Of Golden Valley: Turkey: Holiday Meal For Some, Year-Round Pest For Others

Press release from the City of Golden Valley:

November 25, 2021

For years the City of Golden Valley has received complaints about wildlife nuisances in residential neighborhoods in the form of turkeys. While having turkeys around might be novel and exciting to some, they can become territorial, hostile, and have been known to attack humans and damage property.

The following tips from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will help you take proper precautions to avoid any “fowl” play in your neighborhood.

1. Don’t feed them. Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause turkeys to act tame but may lead to bold or aggressive behavior, especially in the breeding season.
2. Keep bird feeder areas clean. Use bird feeders designed to keep seed off the ground, as the seed attracts turkeys and other wild animals. Clean up spilled seed from other types of feeders daily. Temporarily discontinue feeding birds if turkeys are a nuisance. Remove feeders in the spring, as there is plenty of natural food available for all birds.
3. Don’t let them get comfortable. Chase turkeys away if they start regularly congregating on your property.
4. Don’t let them intimidate you. Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten a bold, aggressive turkey with loud noises. If an aggressive turkey has already made itself welcome on your property, as a last resort, try shooing them with a broom or water sprayed from a hose. A dog on a leash is also an effective deterrent.
5. Cover reflective objects. If a turkey is pecking at a shiny object such as a vehicle or window, cover or otherwise disguise the object.
6. Educate your neighbors. Pass this information along. It requires the efforts of the entire neighborhood to help keep wild turkeys wild. Turkeys are important and valuable birds in Minnesota. They are classified as game birds for which regulated hunting seasons and management programs have been established.

If you are experiencing continued problems with turkeys or have any questions, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 763-512-2345.

This press release was produced by the City of Golden Valley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.