We have lived in our house here in Northern California for 14 years, but yesterday was the second time, I saw about 12 wild turkeys grazing in our front yard. It was a rainy day, gloomy and a bit foggy. Macrine was in the bath room and I was just relaxing in our living room picture window after breakfast when all of a sudden I saw several wild turkeys leisurely grazing in our front yard.
At first I saw a couple, then suddenly about ten more just came into our sight. I was thrilled especially when I saw two of the turkeys were white. They stayed for about 5 minutes then walked away across the street and disappeared. This incident reminded me of a similar event two years ago around Christmas Eve.
I am wondering where these wild turkeys are coming from. Are they in migration mood to warmer climate? Or are they just foraging for food in a residential area and come from the nearby parks and wild lands? Here's information from the website wildlife.ca.gov
California’s wild turkeys now occupy about 18 percent of our state, and are a highly valued upland game bird. Many Californians also enjoy watching them. Some homeowners can’t resist feeding them. That’s when trouble begins. A few stray visitors soon become a flock of permanent residents that have lost their natural fear of humans. Adult wild turkeys, which can weigh upwards of 20 pounds, can destroy flowers and vegetable gardens, leave their droppings on patios and decks, and roost on cars, scratching the paint.
Turkeys can become aggressive during the breeding season, occasionally even charging, threatening, and acting aggressively toward people. Prevent problems by discouraging wild turkeys from becoming too comfortable on your property. If turkeys begin feeding under hanging bird feeders, remove the feeders until the turkeys leave the area. If turkeys are causing problems in your yard, install motion-detecting sprinklers.
Wild turkeys typically will not enter yards with dogs. If confronted by a wild turkey that has lost its fear of humans, an open umbrella may help steer it out of your path. Depredation permits are required to kill wild turkeys that are causing property damage. To get a depredation permit, contact a Regional CDFW office.
Controlling Wild Turkey Populations: California’s wild turkey populations are healthy and growing. Hunting turkeys helps to control their populations and maintain their natural wariness of people. Where safe and legal, hunt wild turkeys on your property, or allow others to hunt them. A hunting license and upland game bird stamp are required. Legal methods of take include shotgun, archery equipment, or air rifle. Seasons and other hunting regulations are available from CDFW offices and online. Homeowners experiencing property damage from wild turkeys may obtain a depredation permit from their Regional CDFW office
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