ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – There are concerns about turkeys in Ashwaubenon.
The village says it’s receiving nuisance complaints, as some people say they are worried about their safety.
Rex Mehlberg, Ashwaubenon Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Director tells FOX 11….
“Turkeys are fun to look at when you first see them. They’re just interesting birds.”
But Mehlberg says the turkeys are starting their breeding season.
“The males like to try and scare away any other what they look at as competition. A person could be that to them.”
He says the birds become territorial, and possibly dangerous.
“People are just concerned, because there have been some chases, and just large numbers. People really don’t know how to respond to a group of turkeys.”
Neighbors say they are familiar with the birds.
“My wife walks in the area, and actually, they’ve chased her a few times. They’ll kind of start chasing her, and even surrounding her. It’s bothered her a little bit” said Jerry Kern.
“They don’t bother us. We seen them down by Sherwood Forest, when we walk the dog, what have you,” said Phil Smith, Ashwaubenon.
Mehlberg says the big birds moved into parts of the village a couple years ago looking for food. They found bird seed, and cracked corn.
“A good way to keep them moving along obviously number one, don’t feed them. They will keep coming back to the same area if you’re feeding them. And number two is you want to try to scare them away.”
Mehlberg says yelling, and waving your arms is a good idea. He says a leashed dog will also help get the birds moving.
“Anything that’s going to startle them so they want to move on, and they don’t want to stay in one spot.”
Village leaders also offered other suggestions to scare away turkeys.
They say spraying a garden hose in the the turkey’s direction will work.
They also say something as simple as popping open an umbrella might also do the trick.
