Let's talk Turkey

This is a question for those who live in the countryside.

I have 5 acres in North Idaho. We get everything you can imagine roaming onto our property: moose, elk, deer, a few coyotes and cougars at times, even fewer black bear but lots of turkey...lots of them because of lack of predators.

Now, I love nature, but these damn turkeys have come to the end of my patience. Why? I have a long driveway (~300+ meters) with a large turn around, all gravel.

These turkeys, in flocks ranging from 6-20, come through the property numerous times a day and crap everywhere but the problem is the gravel because we drive and walk through it constantly. I can't keep it clean even though I'm out there 2-3 times a day with a shovel. We have trained ourselves to 'watch where you're walking' but there is nothing worse than having to clean up the garage floors after driving through their crap, especially when you are in a hurry or trying to get something done.

Normally, in the winter months with hard freezes and cold it's not much of a problem nor in the summer when the hot sun dries it up but during the Spring and Fall...it's the dangerous times.

I've tried everything, noise, throwing things, hitting them with slingshot, killed a few, but nothing keeps them away - they're dumb as dirt. I've heard tales of plastic coyote decoys, but I think that works only for a limited time. I'm thinking a dog and once they know a there is a predator here, they might stay away...just maybe.

So, that's my question, how to keep the damn turkeys away? Will a dog do the trick?

EDIT: No, there are no specific food sources on the property except the bugs and etc.
EDIT: I am a bit afraid of allowing a dog to kill them as it might think it's okay to kill other things but...maybe I can teach it to simply chase them off.
EDIT: No, I am not putting in a sprinkler system that is sensor controlled. It would be simpler, cheaper and guaranteed results to use the shotgun...but others will be back the following year.

 

Reminds me of the ducks my father had in a fishpond behind the house. They were nice, until they figured out where their food came from, and then we had duck sh*t from the pond to the back door of the house. Luckly, my father got a little weenie dog named Frank, and Frank loved to chase ducks. Frank wasn't that much bigger than the ducks, and I don't recall him killing or even catching one, but after a few years the ducks either died out or moved to other ponds. Might work for you too, but we don't have bears and big cats that might eat our dogs in Alabama.

 

IDK....but it seems like quite the opportunity to fill a freezer with turkey meat for the coming year!

I know that for regular (smaller) birds, like those that would eat your berry bush crop, something fluttery seems to help. Maybe look into putting up a string at their height, with mylar strips that would flutter in the breeze? Back in the days of AOL disks at every store checkout counter, people would grab handfuls of them, and tie those up.
Alternatively, for fruit tree crops, they'll put out a propane cannon, the keep the birds in check. Not sure if you want to deal with the noise, or expense of that, though. Basically, it emulates the sound of a small cannon, and scares the birds off.

 

get some geese? a dog would love to chase them off.
18" electric fence around drive, quart canning jars.
i envy your problem.

 

A good working breed of Dog, like any of the Retrievers or Shepherds would do nicely, hell, even the Newfies are amazing at keeping trouble away! Alternately a shotgun or Bird Bombs do pretty well, but Turkeys are dumber than a bag of hammers, so loud noises or flashy stuff only works for a few days!

 

The turkey population seems to have exploded this year. We have two different flocks that have been going through our property twice a day. Were not having the issues you described do I don't mind them coming around so much. They seem to have their daily migratory pattern much like the deer or elk for food.

I have a dog that loves to chase them off into the forest if he gets out of the house when they are around. I've never seen him get ahold of one so I think it's more just instinct. When you know they are around you can go outside and walk towards them and they should head for the hills but not super effective because they would probably be back in no time. I don't know but maybe a electronic coyote call might help to keep them away? Give North 40 or Black Sheep a call to see what they have. You might find some local turkey hunters in the area and let them hunt your land. The fall turkey for either sex is Aug 30- Jan 31st with some restriction:

Idaho Turkey Hunting Seasons | eRegulations

 

in ak turkeys are deleterious species,, no season,no limit if you can find them. i used to see them in cooper landing, rumors they are by skilak lake. il take two.

 

Sounds like you can have a Thanksgiving diner every Sunday.

 

These are wild turkeys, not super smart, but they aren't their dim-witted domesticated cousins either.

 

@natshare I have eaten a few of them. They aren't as tasty as the domestic ones that one buys at the supermarket but not bad, but I got enough meat, 2 each freezers full, a bit over 42 cuft. I've tried noise, works for a while then they return later in the day. The mylar strips fluttering in the breeze also worked for a while...no-joy.

@4x4 We had a coyote running around for a while and I am sure he took a few, which is why we didn't see these turkeys for most of the summer but either someone got rid of the coyote or it went on to better hunting grounds so, they're back.

@Wildbilly yeah, these buggers figure it out real quick. The wife and I got these super-squirter squirt guns and every time they saw us they would start walking away but then figured out the range of them and they would only walk so far and wait for us to leave. The wife got pissed off with them scratching in her flower bed and got a slingshot and they figured out the range that had serious range and would simply leave the area but come back later when we're not around. Like the ducks in your father's place, I'm thinking a dog.

@Ura-Ki Yeah, I am thinking a dog also. I've tried every damn thing one can think of and it will work for a day or so but then it's back to business as normal. I thought someone here might have something that I didn't try so thought it was worth asking. I'm thinking a lab...we'll see. I don't like the idea of training a pup during the winter months so probably wait until Spring.

Thanks all!

 

With no 'food' source they might actually be using your driveway for gizzard grit to grind up their food. And if there isn't small gravels locally .. well, you be da source.
Turkeys kill a shit ton of bugs. If you get rid of them, then you might get bugs in their place. Catch 22.
Anyway, we've got huge flocks (several) that have even adopted domestics roaming the hills and dales around here. Might have any where from 20 to 50 in the yard one day and a few hundred throughout the day across the street.
Just a future food source for a short period of time if the SHTF arrives.

 

There is Never a perfect time to start training a puppy, the longer you wait, the longer it's going to take!
I would go find either a Labrador or a Red block head Golden Retriever pup and get started NOW! Both are super easy to train, and by spring time, your little floof Ball will be ready to go!

I always recommend the retrievers, they are natural hunters, so it's super easy to train them for this type of work, they love it, and already know much of what's required, plus, they are super fun to have around, nothing like a pair of big brown puppy dog eyes staring you down making you feel guilty for what ever!

 

I’d recommend getting one in the Fall as well. By the time next Fall rolls around, you may have him trained up enough to be a hunting partner!

 

Hmm...you guys have me seriously considering this. Are there anything I should be on the lookout for in Labs or Golden Retriever, any aliments I need to be aware of or etc.

 

Yes, bad hip's, tumors, things like that, ask the breeder if these are problems, labs shed less btw.

 

Personally, I like American labs ( taller ).

 

I was happy to see them late spring because we had a grasshopper invasion in the pasture. They went nuclear on them....!

 

We have a Mini Aussie that we absolutely love. Extremely fast and agile. Is largely a one person dog and one of the smartest of breeds. Downside is they can be manipulative to get their way but if you spend the time and give them a job they prove to do their job very well and be a great companion.