State officials asking for help with ballooning wild turkey population
Now more than 30,000 birds in the state
State wildlife officials monitoring the ballooning wild turkey population are encouraging people to report any wild hens, toms, poults and jakes they come across throughout the region.
MassWildlife is urging the public to contribute to the state’s annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey, which helps estimate wild turkey numbers, productivity, reproductive success and fall harvest potential.
Wild turkey reports now come from all regions of the state, from the Bay State’s most rural communities to the most densely-populated areas around Boston.
“It’s amazing how far and wide they have gone,” Marj Rines, a naturalist at Mass Audubon, told the Herald. “You’ll now see them wandering down city streets.”
She noted that wild turkeys can thrive in a city because of the metropolis’ open areas, including parks and cemeteries with green space. Turkeys in suburban and urban areas also rely heavily on bird seed from bird feeders.
The state’s wild turkey population has jumped exponentially since the 1970s when MassWildlife biologists trapped 37 turkeys in New York and released them in the Berkshires. The new flock grew, and by the fall of 1978, the estimated population was about 1,000 birds.
As more birds moved in from neighboring states, turkeys soon ranged throughout most parts of western Massachusetts. Then the wild turkeys continued to expand their range into central, northeastern and southeastern areas of the state — and today, the wild turkey population is estimated at between 30,000 and 35,000 birds.
Wild turkeys are active during the day and roost in large trees at night to avoid predators. In residential areas, it’s not uncommon for turkeys to roost on railings, roofs, or sometimes on vehicles.
“People should just ignore them for the most part,” Rines said.
MassWildlife officials warn people to never deliberately feed wild turkeys, which will attract them to their property and keep them around. Turkeys can survive very well on natural foods and do not need handouts from people.
“Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground, as bird seed attracts turkeys and other wild animals,” MassWildlife said. “Turkeys and other animals feeding on the seed may excrete in the seed pile and spread disease to others. Clean up any spilled bird seed each day.”
Also, if people come across aggressive turkeys, they should not hesitate to scare or threaten a bold turkey with loud noises, spraying water from a hose or swatting with a broom. A dog on a leash is also an effective deterrent.
MassWildlife conducts this annual survey from June 1 through Aug. 31 to estimate the number of turkeys. The wildlife officials reminded people to be especially careful when counting broods because small poults — newly-hatched turkeys — can be tough to see in tall grass or brush.
For more information on the state’s Wild Turkey Brood Survey and to report wild turkey sightings, visit www.mass.gov/news/report-wild-turkey-sightings.