KAGAWONG—With a proliferation of wild turkeys in the township destroying local residents’ properties and no relief being provided by the province in the past, Billings Township council is going to be writing directly to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) for help.
“If the turkeys get into farmers’ fields and crops, it would be awful,” stated councillor Dave Hillyard at a meeting last week. “And with the risk of avian bird flu, having wild turkeys in your back yard is not a good thing.”
Arthur Moran, Billings by-law enforcement officer told council, “this been an ongoing problem that was brought to council’s attention in January 2020.” He pointed out local residents had contacted the township that wild turkeys on the roadways were causing a major traffic safety concern. The person who had originally raised the turkeys was reported to be feeding them by broadcasting corn onto the township roadway in a residential area. The person(s) responsible were directed by the township to not feed the wildlife as it contravened a ‘no feeding wildlife’ bylaw.
The concern has been brought forward to the MNRF twice. “The first attempt at the local level for relocation of the wild turkeys was denied. The second time, it was sent to the MNRF regional level and again it was declined.”
“We have a precarious situation. We have a species that is not native, having been brought in by a person(s) and causing a major concern,” said Mr. Moran. He explained, “in the interest of public safety, and having exhausted all measures with the MNRF, we felt that the next step was to approach the minister himself for assistance. He might directly deal with the problem.”
The first time the township had approached the ministry on the issue, the number of wild turkeys in the township approached 30-35, and now there are over 60 in the township, in a residential neighbourhood, Mr. Moran told council. He pointed out the Fish and Wildlife Protection Act allows for a property owner to dispatch nuisance wild turkeys themselves, but there is not a turkey hunting season on Manitoulin Island and there is a township no hunting bylaw in residential-hamlet areas.
“The person(s) who has a flock currently on their property is sustaining property damage and even their pet had suffered an illness (after consuming turkey excrement). We are looking for assistance from the minister in way of a response to the issue,” said Mr. Moran.
Mayor Bryan Barker explained, “it is my understanding there is a question as to whether they are domesticated or wild turkeys. That is the issue with relocating the birds. The bottom line is that there have been numerous requests to relocate the turkeys but these have been denied.”
“It will probably not satisfy the ministry, but we have to try to support Arthur’s efforts and have the letter sent to the minister,” said Mayor Barker.
“These birds are living and propagating in a growing residential area, and they are not showing any signs of fear towards the residents or demonstrating any signs of natural relocation,” continued Mr. Moran.
“Township staff has once again approached the MNRF office in Sudbury to seek assistance with the possible relocation of the birds or any other solution options, but after having the issue raised with the MNRF regional operations division, the township has once again been informed that there is not anything that the ministry will do,” reported Mr. Moran. Staff has exhausted all enforcement avenues available and is recommending that council send a letter to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Graydon Smith, requesting further action from the ministry regarding the wild turkey concerns in the township.
In the letter to Minister Smith, it states on behalf of mayor and council the township is, “writing to request action by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry regarding nuisance wild turkeys that have become a health concern, property damage concern, traffic concern and a general personal safety concern in our township.”
“The problem that Billings Township residents are facing is an ever-increasing flock of approximately 60+ wild turkeys that root and feed in a residential area in the village of Kagawong,” the letter reads. “This is a problem that was created when the wild turkeys were unlawfully introduce to the area, and then released.”
It was explained, “these nuisance wild turkeys are causing private property damage to outside structures, trees and even a pet becoming quite sick after consuming turkey excrement. With winter upon us and the residential roads becoming narrower with snowbanks, the turkeys will become more of a traffic and pedestrian safety concern.”
“These birds are living and propagating in a growing residential area, and they are not showing any signs of fear toward the residents nor demonstrating any signs of natural relocation,” the letter continues. The Township of Billings has been in contact with ministry staff on numerous occasions to resolve the issue without success and have exhausted all enforcement tools available. As a result, we are requesting the Ministry of Natural Resource to take action to solve this problem.”
