Wenham Animal Control Give Tips To Keep Wild Turkeys At Bay

WENHAM, MA — Wild turkeys have been spotted in Wenham and officials are offering residents tips to keep them at bay.

Turkeys have been spotted near Pleasant Street and officials warned that wild turkeys can be dangerous and aggressive. Here are some tips from Wenham Animal Control and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife on how to respond when encountering a wild turkey:

• Do not feed turkeys — they will become tame but could possibly have angry or wild outbursts.
• Keep all bird feeder areas clean — bird seed attracts turkeys and they will flock to the feeder if there is seed on the ground. Remove feeders in the spring as well, as birds will be able to find plenty of natural food.
• Protect your garden and crops — If you use a hose or make loud noises, turkeys that are stealing food will be intimidated and likely leave the crops alone.
• For aggressive turkeys, don’t let them intimidate you —You should threaten or scare bold turkeys using a hose, a leashed dog or loud noises.
• Cover windows and shiny objects — Turkeys will focus on their own reflection or shiny objects. In order to prevent that, be sure to remove shiny objects or cover windows.

“We want our residents to be safe and mindful of the steps they can take to ward off aggressive wild turkeys,” Animal Control Officer Steve Kavanagh said. “Residents should first and foremost do all they can to avoid close interactions with wild turkeys, and keep these safety tips in mind should a turkey approach them or their property.”