At 12:26 PM 10/6/97 -0700, you wrote:

> I know that "wild" turkeys are established on some of the other
>islands, and I am unaware of environmental disasters associated with
>these populations, but I have to wonder whether it is wise or legal to
>introduce non-natives onto an island (or anywhere else). My first thought
>was, "do they need to file an environmental impact statement to do this?"
>I am actually more concerned that it seems so easy to do something like
>this than I am worried about the impact of turkeys on an island which is
>being carved up for vacation homes.
> Is there any kind of Fish and Wildlife (or other) policy
>regulating this type of introduction?
>
You'll find that wild turkeys tend to be easily tamed. This is one of the
reasons F&W in Oregon is not happy about rereleasing rehabbed polts. The
neighbor in question is likely to be feeding them for quite some time to
come. However, they are good foragers and may spend time in the wild as well.

Whether it's legal is another matter. The only way to find out is to
contact Fish & Wildlife and ask them. I doubt they'll be happy about it.
When we rehab birds, we work closely on the releases with Fish & Wildlife as
there are often areas that are not good release sites for one reason or another.

Having come from an area where a flock of introduced (by Fish & Wildlife)
turkeys roamed the neighborhood, I can tell you it's a mixed blessing. They
are great fun to watch, especially in spring, but some people really don't
like them. They are horridly messy, pooping everywhere and travel in really
large groups. I've seen up to 40 birds in one flock. Additionally, they
roost high in the trees at night so this can be a problem for those living
under the trees.

Our neighborhood was always in a state of war over these birds. Half the
people wanted them, the other half wanted them out. Fish & Wildlife wasn't
happy being caught in the middle.

Having rehabbed wild turkeys, I can say from experience that, in my opinion,
they are too easily tamed for release into a populated area, and will become
nuisances very quickly to those who don't want them.

There may be some justification as there is semi-documented speculation that
turkeys were native to the Pacific Northwest. However, the proof is not
comprehensive so it still remains only speculation.

Just my two cents worth.

Peggi
Ben & Peggi Rodgers
Aptos, CA (near Santa Cruz 122 W, 37 N)
USA
woodduck at cruzio.com
http://www2.cruzio.com/~woodduck/


"A bird does not sing because it has an answer,
It sings because it has a song"