Wild turkeys

[LyonFuzz]

Curiously, is it possible to obtain or own wild turkeys? We are in MI.

 

[JeanR]

They are available from several Hatcheries. You may have to get permission from your State Fish and Wildlife Dept.. They were introduced in our valley about 40 years ago, and since they do not compete with other wildflowl, they have spread into suitable habitat and now there are 2 seasons for hunting, Spring and fall, gobblers only. They will not do well cooped, but when well grown, and released, will either stay, eating your vegetable garden plants, poop all over your yard, but are great grasshopper controllers if they are a summer problem where you live. Roost in trees. Can become somewhat tame, if fed regularly, summer and winter--lovely to watch a hen the domestic turkeys produce! Good luck.....

 

[LyonFuzz]

Thank you for the quick response. I love seeing them and am moving to a large property soon and would like to see them in my yard.

 

[ivan3]

Well, if legal, then consider that these M.G. Silvestris (eggs/poults) won't be from "Wild" hens (quite a few domestic Easterns around, these days). For all intents and purposes any variety of turkey that is "habituated" to humans, as a poult will, to some degree, be domestic. They learn very quickly, first month, to eat what mama turkey eats & run from what mama turkey runs from. Whereas being raised on starter and being guarded by humans, though not to be gainsaid, is somewhat lacking in inculcating a behavioral repertoire that could be described as "wild".

If one hand raises (imprinted on) & trains the first generation (will learn to return to run and roost in shed, without prompting) thoroughly and then allows the hens to hatch and raise their poults without too much human contact with the poults - THAT generation, though following adults lead in roosting in shed, not wandering far afield, will keep their distance from the humans, unlike the adults (eat from hands/hang around deck with one, etc.). That's about as wild as it gets, with domestics.

 

[Weehopper]

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/wild_turkeys.html

 

[R2elk]

Curiously, is it possible to obtain or own wild turkeys? We are in MI.

"It is not legal to import into Michigan any of the following live animals or eggs: wild turkeys or their eggs, wild turkey hybrids or their eggs, mute swans or their eggs, skunks, raccoons, wild rabbits, and wild hares."

This is an excerpt from Michigan DNR Permits to hold wildlife in captivity.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/IC_1350-1_Permits_to_Hold_Wildlife_in_Captivity_234730_7.pdf

If you really want to have wild turkeys, contact your local game warden or the Michigan DNR and they can assist you in obtaining the proper permits and help you find somewhere in the state of Michigan to obtain the turkeys.