How to deal with aggressive wild turkeys in West Virginia | Wild turkey

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How to deal with aggressive wild turkeys

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Wild turkeys that become used to being fed and seeing people are likely to become aggressive toward people. These turkeys react to people (and sometimes pets) as they would a rival turkey. The best way to prevent turkeys from becoming too accustomed to humans is to not feed them.

You can frighten bold turkeys out of your yard by:

  • Chasing them
  • Spraying them with a hose
  • Sounding an air horn
  • Setting off fireworks such as bird screamers or bangers
  • Waving a broom
  • Opening a large umbrella while facing them
  • Allowing your dog free access to the area

Be bold with the offending turkeys and encourage other adults in your neighborhood to do the same. 

Turkeys that repeatedly challenge or attack people or threaten public safety should be reported to the state wildlife agency for possible removal and destruction. Capturing, moving, and releasing turkeys displaying this type of behavior often simply transfers the problem to another property owner.

Assistance in West Virginia

Contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for a list of licensed Animal Damage Control agents in your area who can assist with animal removal, damage, damage prevention, and clean up.  Be aware that they charge for their services.  Your local Division of Natural Resources office can provide guidance regarding nuisance wildlife.  They can also provide you with a permit to remove or destroy certain animals, and advice on how to do so, if it is necessary or desirable for you to trap or shoot animals yourself.  Federally protected species require additional permits as noted if necessary.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources district offices:    

District 1       Farmington              304 825-6787

District 2       Romney                   304 822-3551                                                                                                                           

District 3       French Creek          304 924-6211

District 4       Beckely                   304 256-6947

District 5       Alum Creek             304 756-1023

District 6       Parkersburg            304 420-4550

Op Center    Elkins                      304 637-0245

Trapped animals must be humanely dispatched.  They may not be relocated without prior approval from West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Laws and regulations to be aware of

While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities.

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