Hi Jim, thanks for your report to the hotline. Wild turkeys are non-native to Oregon, however, they are not considered an invasive species. At one time, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife was trapping and relocating turkeys in numerous locations throughout the state, as many people wanted to see this game bird increase in number, even though it is not native to the state. There has since been restrictions placed on these translocations.

Lisa DeBruyckere
Feb. 15, 2009, 2:16 a.m.

Thanks for your response Lisa.

My feeling is that the actions of the ODFW were done w/o appropriate study and w/o an EIS and possibly illegally. Turkeys should be considered an invasive species and, even tho I am vegetarian and generally decry this, should be irradicated. They are taking over other species' niches - theoretically, all niches are filled, right? They have to be displacing something and they are a nuisance.

Jim

Reporter
Feb. 16, 2009, 3:08 p.m.