For the record, NH Fish & Game discourages individuals from actively feeding winter wild turkeys. Why? Such situations increase the possibility of human conflict, predation (from coyotes, for instance), and disease. What do they suggest? Plant grains, fruits, and seed-bearing food sources to sustain these wild birds.
Nevertheless, not a week goes by that a reader or someone on the street tells me about the turkey flock in their backyard. They routinely ask whether it’s okay to feed them. Biologist Mark Ellingwood makes the following suggestions:
If you choose to ignore official advice, feed wild turkeys cracked or whole kernel corn, oats, or sunflower seeds. (My note: wild turkeys routinely show up at backyard bird feeders as a result.) Ellingwood also says to broadcast food on the ground so all flock members can eat. Do so where you’ve seen turkeys feeding naturally in the past. If possible, keep it away from your house.
Wild turkey nuisance problems can occur with so-called “human habituation”—i.e. the birds, albeit wild, get used to your presence and haunt backyards, creating problems. (Me again: over the years one or two of you out there have told me about wild turkeys roosting on your parked vehicles!) As a result, human contact should be minimized.
—S.H.
(NWTF Photo)
