Once devastated, wild turkey populations make big comeback
By Douglas Main
In the early 1900s, wild turkeys seemed to be on the road toward extinction, as unregulated hunting and widespread logging had wiped them out over much of their range. In the last few decades, however, the birds have made an incredible recovery, reaching levels near those of their precolonial days.
The birds are now found in virtually all parts of their former territory, and some new places where they hadn’t been previously, said wildlife biologist Thomas Hughes of the National Wild Turkey Federation, an organization that has reintroduced the animals into the wild. They can be found in 49 U.S. states, with the only exception being Alaska, Hughes said. In total, about 7 million wild turkeys live in the United States; prior to 1500, an estimated 10 million turkeys existed, he added.
In some places, the growth of wild turkey populations has been so dramatic it has caused minor problems, said Kelsey Sullivan, a wildlife biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Bangor. In Maine, for example, the birds have been known to damage strawberry and blueberry crops. They have also been found rummaging in the fodder of dairy cattle, which they can contaminate with their droppings, Sullivan said. [Gobble, Gobble: 8 Terrific Turkey Facts]
There are three of them on the Council
On topic, Wild turkeys often harvested for the many hungry families all over our NJ towns.
Lighten up a little guys — lots of hungry people out there — this could be an interesting topic to follow for the hungry families.
Let’s try it for awhile — OK—?
Interesting turkey story link not live — can we improve the Blog if link story connections were live ?
That would be very helpful — I believe.
See any down by you in the wood Dom?
I have seen a couple on the bike path in Ridgewood and quite a few by Abma farm in Wyckoff also Saddle River.
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Mizzzzz Hauck are the largest WILD TURKEYS in town, and unfortunately they are seen all over the place – hopefully no comeback in store for them.