I work for a municipality and I am the trapper that handles the majority of all ADC complaints. Got a call this morning about Turkeys destroying a landscape. They said there were close to 30 at a time shredding the landscape. I'm guessing a few hens and there broods ? Property sits just on the outskirts of downtown. I have never dealt with this or even heard of it ? Any and all tips greatly appreciated. Thanks !!

First and foremost , check your game laws.

Turkeys generally fall into a different categorie than other animals.

Cover your butt.

If they're scratching in ground cover, there must be something in there they want to eat, try working on that first. As noted Turkey's have a special status in most states.

The big three, deer/turkey/bear, generally are held well outside the scope of regulated NWCO/ADC work in most states. Typically means no legal take without permit.

Again, check local regs, but that leaves hazing in the clear. Though I'd double check the hunting side rules as many states prohibit harassing game animals.

Might give laser harassment a try!

I've only handled 2 turkeys doing ADC work.

First one was one that crashed through two layers of a glass window and was in an upstairs bedroom of a client's house thrashing around. Netted it and took it outside and released it. Not a legal 'take' of a turkey unlike legal hunting regulations. Had to be released per game laws.

Second one was one that had slammed into the second story of a client's house and died from impact. Contacted game warden for a tag to legally 'take' the bird since it was a DOA. Made a meal out of it.

Both homeowners reported that when the bird hit their house , it sounded like a bowling ball hitting the house.
Both reported that the house shook a bit from the impact.

Don't know if it would port over but been having a running battle with a chicken who keeps getting into spousal unit's flower beds. Knows she does not belong there as if you go outside, runs like a scalded cat. But minutes later, sneaks back in. Doing damage.

Hunted up an old 1 1/2 long spring with weak spring and left it in the flower bed. Heard loud cackle........caught said chicken by a toe. Was screaming bloody murder while I took my sweet time cutting her loose......none the worse for wear. Has not been seen since. Undocumented feature, but those traps will catch all kinds of birds. Chickens, hawks or owls......latter two not on purpose and always released. But will catch them if set in the right place.

Second set of traps set in different flower bed. These are body grips laid flat on the ground with piece of cardboard on top covering entire jaw spread.....wood block between to set off trap. Dirt, mulch and cardboard flung in air under chicken. Booby trap to deter interest in that location. A 160 or 220 set same way in scratch area might scare turkey off.......not catch them......just spook em. Big victor rat trap might do the same.

The time I did it for the city, I built a circular 12 x12 pen out of wire.
Secured a tarp to it with a pole in the middle so I could stand up.
Build a drop door entrance using one of Advanced Trap triggers.
Purchased a remote starting device (for car or truck) and a door actuator to fire the trigger.
Sat and waited across the street for them to go in.

$$$$
I have used the unit on starling drop traps and Peafowl.

I was told that using old bed springs works, but not easy available.

Greatly appreciate the responses