Troublesome Toms River Turkeys To Get Trapped, Moved

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The "Turkeys Gone Wild" that have been harassing Toms River residents will be taking their antics elsewhere: state wildlife officials are relocating the birds.

The state Department of Environmental Protection on Wednesday said staff from the Division of Fish and Wildlife met with Toms River residents over the weekend to hear their complaints about the wild turkeys, that have been pecking windows, blocking cars and trying to bite people for several days.

Holiday City, the 55-and-over community, and other North Dover neighborhoods have had flocks of the birds, both big Toms and smaller females. The Toms can reach up to 30 pounds.

The situation got so bad it even prompted Major League Baseball star Todd Frazier to tweet at Gov. Phil Murphy, urging him and state wildlife officials to do something.

"They have come close to harming my family and friends, ruined my cars, trashed my yard and much more...," he tweeted. "Animal control needs to step up and move these animals ASAP. State wildlife control needs to figure it out. What’s it going to take?"

According to the Department of Environmental Protection, it will take some patience.

The plan, state officials said, is for the Division of Fish and Wildlife to trap the troublesome turkeys, "which is the DEP-recommended best practice for removing the turkeys from the area."

That effort is underway and involves wildlife staff using trails of corn to establish a baiting routine for the turkeys prior to trapping them using a drop net.

"Establishing this new behavior pattern for the turkeys can take several weeks," state officials said.

To make sure the effort succeeds, residents are being asked to not provide food sources, including bird seed, for the turkeys.

Wildlife officials also urge people to try to reinforce the birds' natural fear of people by using a broom, a garden hose or an air horn to scare the birds.

If you've had problems with them pecking your windows, put cardboard over them to prevent the turkeys from seeing their reflections.

"Tom turkeys may see their reflection in a window and may try to attack it, thinking it is another Tom," officials said. The Division of Fish and Wildlife "also strongly advises against feeding any wild animals."

Toms River residents are experiencing the bounty of what the state Department of Environmental Protection says is "one of the greatest wildlife management success stories in the history of the state," according to the state website. Wild turkeys had disappeared in New Jersey by the mid-1800s due to habitat changes and killing for food. In 1977, however, efforts were undertaken to reintroduce the birds, with 22 released.

In 1979 biologists and technicians began to live-trap and relocate birds to establish populations throughout the state. The population had rebounded enough by 1981 for a spring hunting season, and a limited fall hunting season was added in December 1997.

"There is now an abundance of wild turkeys throughout the state, with turkeys found wherever there is suitable habitat. In South Jersey, where wild turkeys had been struggling just a few years ago, intensive restoration efforts have improved population numbers significantly," the website notes.

There are about 20,000 to 23,000 wild turkeys throughout New Jersey now, and about 3,000 wild turkeys are harvested each year during the turkey hunting seasons.

For those who thought they might be able to get a last-minute fresh wild bird for Thanksgiving, however, you're out of luck: fall turkey season in New Jersey was over on Nov. 2.

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