kickingfrog Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Article link has a video: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3183198 Turkeys gone wild in south end Aggressive birds becoming a problem for residents By BOB BRUTON – Barrie Examiner Posted 12:30am, June 23, 2011 Gobblers are getting on the nerves of south-Barrie residents. Wild turkeys are behaving aggressively in the Cox Mill Road and Little Avenue areas, venturing onto city streets and going after vehicles. City councillor John Brassard was going home one morning last week on Cox Mill Road, near the GO Transit bridge, when he saw the big birds on the road. "They attacked my car," he said. "I stopped (and) honked my horn, but they started pecking at the grill (of his vehicle). Then they came along side." Brassard was able to drive away without further damage to his car and didn't hit any turkeys. "It's getting to the point of being ridiculous," he said. "Something has got to be done or somebody is going to be hurt. People are getting out of their cars and the turkeys are chasing them back." Coun. Alex Nuttall raised this matter at Monday's general committee of council meeting, but was told by city staff that wild turkeys are a protected species and little could be done. Staff are looking into the matter anyway. Nuttall said that beside Brassard, his mother and a friend have also had their vehicles attacked by wild turkeys. "It's a very bizarre situation, because it's happening consistently," Nuttall said. "I personally know three people's cars that have been attacked." He estimates there are 40 or 50 wild turkeys in the Mill Creek area. "They are really quite aggressive," said Mayor Jeff Lehman. "Really, really aggressive." Brassard saw more wild turkeys Wednesday morning and videotaped an encounter with a woman who tried to chase them off the road. He sees it as a problem for vehicles as well as people. "You can't get past them unless you run over the turkeys, which nobody wants to do," Brassard said. "It was cute in the beginning. It's not funny anymore." He said wild turkeys are very territorial and it would be difficult to relocate them. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource's Midhurst office could not be reached for comment by the Examiner about wild turkeys on Wednesday. But the ministry website says wild turkeys very rarely act aggressively toward people or pets. They may come into semi-rural areas in search of food and shelter, and can damage gardens, foul decks and lawns. Turkeys are active during the day, according to the MNR, roosting at night to avoid predators. In residential areas, it's common for turkeys to roost on railings, roofs, or sometimes vehicles. While wild turkey thrived in southern Ontario forests before European settlement, the species disappeared from this province a century ago due to unregulated hunting and the loss of native forests. In 1984, efforts to restore turkeys to Ontario began. Today, some 70,000 wild turkeys live in areas across southern Ontario. Its natural predators in Ontario include coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks and foxes. Harsh winters can also reduce turkey populations. Adult male wild turkeys weigh as much as 24 pounds (11 kilograms) and are 39-49 inches tall (100 to 125 centimetres). The females are usually much smaller. Ontario has controlled wild turkey hunts in both spring and fall, but not in urban areas. [email protected] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimsbylander Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 The secret here is to paint your car in camo colours, park it close to a big tree and sit quietly for hours...your turkey problems will be gone! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bailey Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Had one attack our car about 25 years ago, down near Lake St. Clair. The tom was herding his harem across a road and even when they had all crossed he wasn't going to let us move until he wanted us to. Every time we inched forward he would run in front and start banging on the grill. We finally had to just gun it, and he chased us a couple of hundred feet down the road. But there's actually a very good explanation as to why they act that way - they're stupid. Mind boggingly stupid. There are many things with more brains than a turkey. Which reminds me, I have to water the house plants today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Yeah the sister inlaw lives on Coxmill. I see them walking down the street all the time. If it wasnt for the new paint job,the drivers door could swing out,,,,by accident of course. By the Achannel, theres a large group aswell. The local res feed them all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Governator Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 I see them quite often when we go for drives, usually big bay point area west of Yonge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 This is a new thing.?.. they've held the kids school bus up for years! (and they haven't been in highschool for a minimum 6 years!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 If your land is registed as a farm you can... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gbfisher Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Bumper. ...meat Turkey! Turkey... meat bumper.....@ 40mph. Save us from the wee turkeys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC1 Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 If I was around there anytime soon, I'd be the first to accidentally run one over. I'll gladly celebrate thanksgiving with a wild turkey in June! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Mmmmmmm turkey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutdoorDan Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Seems like a great way to cut a trip to the grocery store short and save some money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Save us from the wee turkeys. Look, that TURKEY's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 There are areas here, that hunting with a bow, would be fine.Food for thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 if any of you have a frightening encounter with a turkey please call me immediately and i'll make sure the turkey has a frightening encounter with my slow cooker. thanks, the management Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 I could probably shear the head of one right off with the truck and not even touch the body. Anyone up for a deep fried turkey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Come up here and do laps around the runway and laneway Bill... I could use at least 50 less in the yard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Come up here and do laps around the runway and laneway Bill... I could use at least 50 less in the yard! Until the season opens then thier gonezo. Stupid birds my Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) Yah they can all read the reg book better than people Brian. Had two full grown deers trying to coral a run away fawn (about 18" high) and it's two older siblings yesterday when I was cutting the runway. I thought it was a little dog chasing a doe from 1000 feet away to find it was a new born fawn doing laps and mom trying to nose her in the right direction from the big scary tractor. I could have shifted gears and had veal.... Edited June 23, 2011 by irishfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 I could have shifted gears and had veal.... Ya ,but yer an animal lover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 Ya ,but yer an animal lover. Don't tell that to the stack of ground hogs, racoons and porkies out back ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 Mmmmm veal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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