Turkeys

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Most conflicts with turkeys can be prevented by eliminating access to outdoor food resources, such as bird food, pet food and berry producing bushes. Feeding draws turkeys into neighborhoods, increases flock size, and can lead to property damage and aggressive behavior.
• If mowed lawn must remain around your home, ensure brush piles and patches of tall vegetation near buildings are minimized, as these may provide nesting and food resources for turkeys.

Around home

• If you begin to notice turkeys in your area, consider taking preventative steps to ensure turkeys do not become problematic. Most conflicts with turkeys occur during the spring mating season when they are more aggressive and during winter when food resources are more concentrated.
• Remove food sources that may attract turkeys, including spilled bird seed, accessible compost, and fruit fallen from trees. Talk to your neighbors about doing the same.
• Turkeys roost in elevated locations during the night, such as large horizontal tree branches and occasionally roofs of buildings. Reduce potential roost locations around your home by managing tree branches and installing spike strips on branches or roof peaks.
• Sturdy fencing at least 3 feet tall and with 3-inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from turkeys.
• A line of thick shrubs or fencing along walkways may help to limit turkeys from entering those spaces.
• If turkeys repeatedly visit your property, remove all attractants for several weeks to break the pattern. Also consider installing deterrents like a coyote decoy and motion-activated sprinklers.

Pets and livestock

• Turkeys generally avoid pets, but males may display or act defensively during the spring. Turkeys may also become aggressive to pets and other wildlife around food sources, like bird feeders.
• Do not allow dogs to chase turkeys as it can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if this is a concern.
• Store poultry and livestock feed securely to avoid attracting turkeys.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• If turkeys are roosting around or on your house, consider eliminating large horizontal tree branches or installing spike strips on branches or your roof.
• Various turkey deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and flashing lights, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• Reduce habitat preferred by turkeys by mowing lawns and trimming shrubs to reduce cover and potential food sources.
• If a turkey is being aggressive, make yourself large and intimidating as possible. Stomp your feet, clap your hands, and yell at the bird. You may need to do this over several days to demonstrate to the bird it is not welcome. Consider using an umbrella to shelter yourself from the turkey.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of turkeys.
• If you find an injured turkey or young turkey and you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Turkeys are a regulated game species in Michigan and may not be lethally removed by a property owner without a removal permit.
• If a turkey is causing property damage, contact your local DNR Wildlife Division office to discuss if a lethal removal permit is applicable based on your location and situation. Lethal removal of turkeys may not be suitable in all situations and can only occur after a permit is issued. Jurisdictional ordinance would need to allow or be amended to allow use of a firearm.
• A base hunting license and turkey hunting license is required if the turkey is taken outside the authority of a damage permit and during the established turkey hunting season.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Educate residents about preventing turkey conflicts by eliminating access to food resources, such as bird feeders and pet food. Feeding draws turkeys into neighborhoods, increases flock size, and can lead to property damage and aggressive behavior.
• Encourage residents and maintenance staff to deter turkeys by managing landscaping. Do not plant fruit-bearing shrubs.
• Ensure brush piles and patches of tall vegetation on the grounds are minimized, as these may provide nesting and food resources for turkeys.
• Messaging prevention tips to residents is best done during spring and fall when turkey conflicts typically occur.

Your community

• Turkeys prefer to live in forested areas near open spaces. Communities that have these features should be vigilant in minimizing potential sources of food and shelter for turkeys in these areas.
• If you begin to notice turkeys in your community, consider taking preventative steps to ensure turkeys do not become problematic. Most conflicts with turkeys occur during the spring mating season when they are more aggressive and during winter when food resources are more concentrated.
• Remove food sources that may attract turkeys, including spilled bird seed, accessible compost, and fruit fallen from trees. Encourage residents to adopt these practices across their neighborhood.
• Turkeys roost in elevated locations during the night, such as large horizontal tree branches and occasionally roofs of buildings. Reduce potential roost locations around buildings by managing tree branches and installing spike strips on roof peaks.
• Sturdy fencing at least 3 feet tall and with 3-inch or smaller holes can help protect community gardens or individual plants from turkeys.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding turkeys and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• A line of thick shrubs or fencing along walkways may help to limit turkeys from entering those spaces.
• Regularly clean areas where droppings accumulate to reduce sanitation concerns.

Pets and livestock

• Turkeys generally avoid pets, but males may display or act defensively during the spring. Turkeys may also become aggressive to pets and other wildlife around food sources, like bird feeders.
• Educate residents about keeping dogs leashed or fenced. Do not allow dogs to chase turkeys as it can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Encourage residents to store poultry and livestock feed securely to avoid attracting turkeys.
• Consider implementing ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding turkeys and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Most conflicts with turkeys can be solved by removing outdoor food attractants, such as bird feeders and pet food.
• If turkeys repeatedly visit public spaces, remove all attractants for several weeks to break the pattern. Be mindful of managing spilled food waste in parks that may attract turkeys.
• If turkeys are roosting around or on a public building, consider eliminating large horizontal tree branches or installing spike strips on branches or the roof.
• Various turkey deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and flashing lights, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• If a turkey is being aggressive, make yourself large and intimidating as possible. Stomp your feet, clap your hands, and yell at the bird. You may need to do this over several days to demonstrate to the bird it is not welcome. Consider using an umbrella to shelter yourself from the turkey.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of turkeys.
• If someone finds an injured turkey or young turkey and they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• If your jurisdiction allows hunting, turkeys may be taken with possession of a base hunting license and appropriate turkey hunting license during the open season. Hunters must follow state hunting regulations.
• If hunting is not allowed, turkeys are damaging property, or a threat to human health and safety, contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office to discuss if a lethal removal permit is applicable based on your location and situation. Lethal removal of turkeys may not be suitable in all situations and can only occur after a permit is issued. Jurisdictional ordinance would need to allow or be amended to allow use of a firearm.
• If interested in implementing a turkey management program in your jurisdiction, contact your local DNR Wildlife Division office for guidance.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Educate staff and students about preventing turkey conflicts by eliminating access to food resources, such as bird feeders and open compost. Feeding attracts turkeys, increases flock size, and can lead to property damage and aggressive behavior.
• Ensure brush piles and patches of tall vegetation on the grounds are minimized, as these may provide nesting and food resources for turkeys.
• Messaging prevention tips to staff and students is best done during spring and fall when turkey conflicts typically occur.

Grounds

• If you begin to notice turkeys on your grounds, consider taking preventative steps to ensure turkeys do not become problematic. Most conflicts with turkeys occur during the spring mating season when they are more aggressive and during winter when food resources are more concentrated.
• Remove food sources that may attract turkeys, including spilled bird seed, open compost, and fruit fallen from trees. Encourage businesses and residents in the area to adopt these practices.
• Turkeys roost in elevated locations during the night, such as large horizontal tree branches and occasionally roofs of buildings. Reduce potential roost locations around buildings by managing tree branches and installing spike strips on roof peaks.
• Sturdy fencing at least 3 feet tall and with 3-inch or smaller holes can help protect landscaping and school gardens from turkeys.
• A line of thick shrubs or fencing along walkways may help to limit turkeys from entering those spaces.
• Regularly clean areas where droppings accumulate to reduce sanitation concerns.

Pets and livestock

• Turkeys generally avoid pets, but males may display or act defensively during the spring. Turkeys may also become aggressive to pets and other wildlife around food sources, like bird feeders.
• Do not allow dogs to chase turkeys as it can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law. Require dogs to be leashed if this is a concern.
• Store poultry and livestock feed securely to avoid attracting turkeys.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Most conflicts with turkeys can be solved by removing outdoor food attractants, such as bird feeders and pet food.
• If turkeys repeatedly visit your grounds, ensure all attractants are removed for several weeks to break the pattern. Be mindful of managing spilled food waste in courtyards and playgrounds that may attract turkeys.
• If turkeys are roosting around or on a building, consider eliminating large horizontal tree branches or installing spike strips on the roof.
• Various turkey deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and flashing lights, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• If a turkey is being aggressive, make yourself large and intimidating as possible. Stomp your feet, clap your hands, and yell at the bird. You may need to do this over several days to demonstrate to the bird it is not welcome. Consider using an umbrella to shelter yourself from the turkey.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of turkeys.
• If someone finds an injured turkey or young turkey and they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Turkeys are a regulated game species in Michigan and may not be lethally removed by a business or school without a removal permit.
• If a turkey is causing or likely to cause property damage, contact your local DNR Wildlife Division office to discuss if a lethal removal permit is applicable based on your location and situation. Lethal removal of turkeys may not be suitable in all situations and can only occur after a permit is issued. Jurisdictional ordinance would need to allow or be amended to allow use of a firearm.
• A base hunting license and turkey license is required if the turkey is taken outside the authority of a damage permit and during the established turkey hunting season.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Most conflicts with turkeys can be prevented by reducing access to food resources, such as spilled livestock feed or seed grain, waste grain, and bird feeders. Even if unintentional, feeding attracts turkeys, increases flock size, and can lead to property damage and aggressive behavior.

Your farm or orchard

• If you begin to notice turkeys on your property, consider taking preventative steps to ensure turkeys do not become problematic. Most conflicts with turkeys occur during the spring mating season when they are more aggressive and during winter when food resources are more concentrated.
• Secure potential food sources that may attract turkeys to your property, including livestock feed and grain bins. Talk to your neighbors about doing the same.
• Turkeys rarely eat seed grain or young plants, but avoiding seed grain spills, ensuring planters are planting correctly and seed is underground can help prevent attracting turkeys to fields.
• If turkeys repeatedly visit your property, remove all attractants for several weeks to break the pattern. Also consider installing deterrents like a coyote decoy and motion-activated sprinklers.
• Turkeys roost in elevated locations during the night, such as large horizontal tree branches and occasionally roofs of buildings. Reduce potential roost locations around your home by managing tree branches and installing spike strips on roof peaks.
• Sturdy fencing at least 3 feet tall and with 3-inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from turkeys.
• Minimize brush piles and grassy cover near field edges that turkeys may use as cover, especially for nesting.

Pets and livestock

• Turkeys generally do not threaten livestock but may compete with poultry for feed.
• Minimize turkey access to poultry food and spilled grain to prevent potential disease transmission between turkeys and poultry.
• Keep dogs leashed or fenced where turkeys are present, especially during spring when turkeys are nesting and can be aggressive. A dog chasing turkeys is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• If turkeys are potentially damaging your crops, assess the damage to ensure turkeys are causing the damage and not another type of wildlife like woodchucks or deer. Turkeys will leave V-shaped scratching on the ground, but do not dig or poke holes in the ground. Turkeys seen in fields are typically searching for insects and waste grain, but will opportunistically nip crop leaves and shoots or fruit.
• If turkeys are roosting around or on your buildings, consider removing large horizontal tree branches or installing spike strips on the branches or building roof.
• Various turkey deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and flashing lights, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• Consistent hazing can help deter turkeys off fields.
• Reduce habitat preferred by turkeys by mowing lawns and trimming shrubs to reduce cover and potential food sources.
• If a turkey is being aggressive, make yourself large and intimidating as possible. Stomp your feet, clap your hands, and yell at the bird. You may need to do this over several days to demonstrate to the bird it is not welcome. Consider using an umbrella to shelter yourself from the turkey.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of turkeys.
• If you find an injured turkey or young turkey and you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Turkeys are a regulated game species in Michigan and may not be lethally removed by a property owner unless there is an immediate threat to human life.
• If a turkey is causing or likely to cause property damage, contact your local DNR Wildlife Division office to discuss if a lethal removal permit is applicable based on your location and situation. Lethal removal of turkeys may not be suitable in all situations and can only occur after a permit is issued. Jurisdictional ordinance would need to allow or be amended to allow use of a firearm.
• A base hunting license and turkey hunting license is required if the turkey is taken outside the authority of a damage permit and during the established turkey hunting season.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Ensure staff and visitors prevent turkey conflicts by eliminating access to food resources, such as bird feeders and pet food. Feeding attracts turkeys, increases flock size, and can lead to property damage and aggressive behavior.
• Encourage grounds staff to deter turkeys by managing landscaping. Ensure brush piles and patches of tall vegetation on the airfield are minimized, as these may provide nesting and food resources for turkeys.

Around buildings

• If you begin to notice turkeys on airport property, consider taking preventative steps to ensure turkeys do not become problematic. Most conflicts with turkeys occur during the spring mating season when they are more aggressive and during winter when food resources are more concentrated.
• Remove food sources that may attract turkeys, including spilled crop grain, bird seed, and fruit fallen from trees.
• A line of thick shrubs or fencing along walkways may help to limit turkeys from entering those spaces.
• If turkeys repeatedly visit areas around buildings, remove all attractants like bird feeders for several weeks to break the pattern. Also consider installing deterrents like a coyote decoy and motion-activated sprinklers.

Airfields

• Turkeys roost in elevated locations during the night, such as large horizontal tree branches and occasionally roofs of buildings. Reduce potential roost locations on the airfield by managing tree branches and installing spike strips on branches or roof peaks.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Most conflicts with turkeys can be solved by removing outdoor food attractants, such as bird feeders and spilled crop grains.
• Manage vegetation to reduce areas where turkeys may find shelter or food.
• Consistent harassment from qualified staff may help to deter turkeys from airfields.
• Various turkey deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and flashing lights, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• If a turkey is being aggressive, make yourself large and intimidating as possible. Stomp your feet, clap your hands, and yell at the bird. You may need to do this over several days to demonstrate to the bird it is not welcome. Consider using an umbrella to shelter yourself from the turkey.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of turkeys.
• If you find an injured turkey or young turkey and you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• If turkeys are causing a public safety issue at an airport, a DNR Wildlife Division regional supervisor or district law enforcement supervisor or their designee can issue a lethal removal permit without an investigation.
• Lethal removal of turkeys without a permit is prohibited except in immediate defense of human life.
• For turkey issues other than public safety, contact a nuisance animal control company.