Wild Turkeys in Newfoundland Codroy Valley

[Peter Emberley]

Wild turkeys appearing in Codroy Valley

The turkeys in Newfoundland's Codroy Valley are descendants of a domestic flock released in the wild, a retired farmer believes. (Courtesy of Ron Aucoin)Dozens of wild turkeys have been appearing in Newfoundland's Codroy Valley, causing people to wonder how the birds, not native to the island, became established.

In the spring, two wild turkeys showed up on Donald MacPherson's lawn in Millville, in the valley on Newfoundland's west coast.

MacPherson said the birds' behaviour surprised him, even though he grew up around domesticated turkeys.

"I looked out there one day and there's one 20 feet up in the tree there," MacPherson said. "You'd never believe that something that size could jump up like that but they can. Then they'll walk along a tree and hop from branch to branch, and climb it like a ladder, I guess."

The wild turkeys people have reported seeing in the valley are described as about four to seven kilograms and resemble domestic turkeys except for their colour. The wild turkeys are a dark brown or black, with no red in their plumage.

One person reported more a half-dozen birds holding up cars on a highway recently, while they crossed the road.

Edward Ryan, a retired farmer in the valley, said this is the second year he's seen them in the area.

"About this time last year we had about 57 here in the fields," Ryan said. "They were just picking around. A lot of corn planted around, and they were in the corn fields. They are hard to contain."

Ryan said he believes the wild turkeys are descendants from a group of domestic turkeys set loose by a farmer in the region about 10 years ago.

Courtesy of CBC news

[kenneth Griffiths]

When are we going hunting for turkey???

 

[Peter Emberley]

Anytime is good with me.

[kenneth Griffiths]

sounds good. turkey hunt it is. So 50 seen is alot and i would say that the #'s doubled by now.

[paul sheppard]

i would like to see the critters all over nl. I would love to hunt turkeys.

[Anthony Bailey]

I seen wild turkeys in virginia, they are amazing to watch, even more amazing when you see em fly... such a big bird to just take off like its nothing is something to be seen

[Cathy Stamp]

Are there enough turkey's to warrent a hunt? If a study has not been done and there is only a small population they could easily be wiped out in jig time.  I would love to see Wild Turkey's everywhere on the island.   I would like to know if they are having any impact on the grouse & partridge population.  We have wild pheasants here also for a number of years, they have not been placed on the small game license.

[Edward Smith]

I agree Cathy, until we know exactly how many there are or if anymore are going to be introduced, we should hold off on hunting them. But, I would love to be able to some day!