You're Such a Turkey!

North End Turkey Flock - Photo Credit Riley Shoemaker, KIVI Channel 6

As silly as it sounds, the North End is one of several Boise neighborhoods experiencing increased conflicts with wild turkeys in an urban neighborhood. What started as an endearing turkey or two has exploded in just a few years into a much bigger issue, with multiple flocks of turkeys residing full-time in town and numbering dozens of birds per flock. While most of the birds are docile and make an effort to avoid humans, others are more aggressive - causing issues for Postal workers and other delivery drivers.

At a recent town hall meeting hosted by the City of Boise, Idaho Fish & Game (IDFG) gave a presentation to help clarify what options are available, and how neighborhood actions can make a meaningful difference.

Urban environments provide abundant food and shelter, which encourages turkeys to settle and expand. According to IDFG, flocks are likely to continue growing unless residents take action to make living conditions a little less hospitable.

What Idaho Fish & Game CANNOT Do

IDFG is not considering relocating turkeys for several important reasons:

• There are very limited suitable release locations outside Boise, which would simply shift the problem elsewhere.

• Relocation is highly stressful for the birds. Urban turkeys would go from reliable food sources to scarcity.

• The scale of the issue exceeds available department resources.

What Idaho Fish & Game CAN Do

• Provide support for legal harvest actions, which would require city approval and coordination.

• Support trapping and humane euthanasia, with the goal of donating meat to local food banks.

• Occasionally remove aggressive individual turkeys through conservation officers when public safety is at risk.

Why Neighborhood Actions Matter

IDFG emphasized that individual actions have the greatest influence on whether turkey populations increase or decrease. When turkeys are fed, flocks stop moving, grow larger, and can attract predators such as coyotes and mountain lions. All less than ideal when occurring right in your backyard. Here are a few ways you can join in the effort to ensure turkey populations are controlled in non-lethal ways; the best solution for everyone (every turkey?) involved:

Reduce Food Sources – intentional and unintentional

• Do not intentionally feed turkeys.

• Clean up natural food sources such as crab apples, chokecherries, acorns, ants, and fallen fruit.

• Secure or remove high-calorie foods including bird seed, cracked corn, and dry pet food.

• Protect gardens (leafy greens, clover) and secure chicken feed.

• Properly manage garbage and compost.

• Sweep fallen fruit and droppings when possible.

Make Areas Less Inviting – non-lethal deterrents can be effective when used consistently

• Reflective tape, CDs, pinwheels, bird-scare balloons

• Motion activated sprinklers or hoses (turkeys dislike getting wet)

• Allowing dogs to chase turkeys (when safe and appropriate)

• Discouraging roosting with lasers, lights, or decorative deterrents while being mindful of human neighbors

If a Turkey Acts Aggressively

• Do not turn your back or retreat.

• Make yourself look large: spread arms, open a coat, be loud, clap, stomp.

• Use a broom, umbrella, or other means to swipe toward (not strike) the turkey if needed.

• Standing your ground is important. Backing down can encourage continued aggression.

Driving Near Turkeys

If a flock is blocking traffic, slowly, and carefully drive toward them and use your horn to encourage movement.

We encourage neighbors to share this information broadly and work together to reduce the comfortability of turkeys. Consistent actions across a block or neighborhood are far more effective than isolated efforts.        

If you have questions or would like additional resources, please reach out to info@cityofboise.org.