Wild turkeys roam Sacramento — and they can get aggressive. What to do when you see one

While it’s common to see flocks of wild turkeys in Sacramento, either pecking at lawns or roaming =on the side of a road, the experience can still be intimidating.

These birds, which can run 18 mph on foot and fly up to 50 mph, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are notorious for being aggressive and fearless.

Turkeys have broken into homes, gobbled at cars in the middle of traffic and terrorized Amazon drivers and mail carriers, to the point where one Sacramento postal worker clubbed a turkey to death in 2022.

California is seeing a rise in wild turkeys in nearly all parts of the state, The Sacramento Bee reported in April.

In a recent thread on Reddit, Sacramento residents joked about spotting big numbers of turkeys in the area, from the American River to Folsom.

Here’s what to know if you run into a turkey.

What to do when you see a wild turkey

According to the Humane Society, turkeys have a “pecking order” of dominance and will chase you or block your way if you or your pet act scared.

The nonprofit organization advises that you assert dominance by hazing the turkey.

You can scare turkeys away by making noises, waving your arms, yelling or blowing a whistle. If possible, you can open an umbrella, throw balls or squirt water at the turkey with a hose or squirt gun.

“Although wild turkeys may look large and intimidating, they are usually timid and scare easily,” the Humane Society said.

During mating season from February to May, male turkeys can be drawn and be aggressive to reflective surfaces, such as windows, cars and mirrors, the Humane Society said.

After you’ve hazed the turkey away, cover any shining surfaces.

Can I feed wild turkeys?

According to Fish and Wildlife, “Wild turkeys don’t need your handouts.”

Feeding turkeys will make them become comfortable around your property and can cause trouble for you and your neighbors.

When people feed the big birds, “They lose their natural fear of people,” agency spokesman Peter Tira told the Bee in 2023.

Fish & Wildlife advises people to remove bird feeders until the turkeys leave the area and install sprinklers if the wild fowl keep roaming into their yards.

Can I kill wild turkeys?

If you plan to serve wild turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, you want to think twice.

Shooting a firearm in urban areas is illegal, so killing wild turkeys with a gun is a no-no, then-city spokeswoman Gina Knepp told The Bee in 2019.

“No, you cannot go and shoot these turkeys,” she said.

However, you can hunt wild turkeys in the spring during California turkey season, which runs from March 25 to April 30, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

You’ll need a hunting license and upland game bird validation.

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