Brookline Police Advise on How to Deal with Wild Turkeys

The Brookline Police recommend following these guidelines if you are confronted with a wild turkey, especially now during turkey mating season:

"Don’t feed turkeys — Keep wild things wild! Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause turkeys to appear tame. However, they are capable of bold aggressive behavior, especially in breeding season.

Keep bird feeder areas clean — Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground, as the seed attracts turkeys and other wild animals. Clean up spilled seed daily. Remove feeders in the spring, as there is plenty of natural food available for all birds.

Don’t let turkeys intimidate you — Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten a bold, aggressive turkey with loud noises, swatting with a broom or spraying water from a hose.

Cover windows or other reflective objects — If a turkey is pecking at a shiny object, such as a window or car, cover it or disguise it.

Protect your gardens or crops — You can harass turkeys searching for food in your gardens. Dogs are effective in scaring turkeys away. Netting is another option."