Ask a Conservation Officer

[Lee Borgersen]

   Ask a Conservation Officer:

  What can you do with an unwanted turkey?

By Matthew S. Miller, Minnesota DNR on Apr 1, 2018

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Q: I raised some turkeys that I purchased as poults from the local feed store. The kids had fun and we ate one, but they are getting too big and aggressive to keep. Can I release them? They look and act like wild turkeys.

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A: No. It is against the law to release a domestically raised wild turkey or wild turkey hybrids without a permit.

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Wild turkeys are gradually expanding throughout Minnesota, with some small groups located in areas not typically thought of as turkey territory. Some of these birds have come from homes or farms that raised them and released them. These birds may have different strains of domestic turkey genes in them, and if released can cause problems when mixing with wild flocks.

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Domestically raised birds also have little fear of humans, and in some cases have caused local problems when they act aggressively this time of year due to their expectation of food and mating season behavior. If you find yourself with birds you no longer want, it is best to release them to your oven or find a farm that wishes to take them.

Matthew S. Miller is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer.