Turkeys are out and about across California, particularly Sacramento, as their spring breeding season continues.<\/p>\n
Wild turkeys are a frequent sight across Sacramento, where large flocks have gathered since their numbers began to grow in California in the 1970s.<\/p>\n
The birds frequently venture out in public from parks, greenbelts and the American River Parkway.<\/p>\n
The birds can be more aggressive during mating season, which runs from February to May, wildlife officials said.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you need to know:<\/p>\n
![\"UC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lede_RP_TURKEY_encounter.jpeg\" "\\"Lede_RP_TURKEY_encounter\\"")
UC Davis grad student Will Hemstrom encounters a wild turkey who follows him closely in 2016 in Davis. Randy Pench Sacramento Bee file What to know about wild turkeys<\/p>\n
Male turkeys can weigh up to 25 pounds<\/a>, but females average about half that weight, Audubon Magazine said.<\/p>\n While they spend most of their time on the ground, wild turkeys can fly at speeds of up to 60 mph. They also have excellent eyesight, the magazine said.<\/p>\n They can run at speeds of up to 18 mph<\/a>, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.<\/p>\n There are about 6.5 million wild turkeys in the United States, the agency said.<\/p>\n Wild turkeys, which are not native to California, arrived in the Golden State in several waves over the years.<\/p>\n In 1959, the state began successful attempts to introduce wild turkeys<\/a> to California as a game bird for hunting, University of California Integrated Pest Management said..<\/p>\n There are about a quarter million wild turkeys in California, experts said.<\/p>\n They now occupy about a quarter<\/a> of California, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.<\/p>\n The department also said birds can \u201cdestroy flowers and vegetable gardens, leave their droppings on patios and decks, and roost on cars, scratching the paint.\u201d<\/p>\n They can become aggressive during their spring breeding season, \u201ceven charging, threatening, and acting aggressively toward people,\u201d the agency said.<\/p>\n What to do when you see a wild turkey<\/p>\n According to the Humane Society, turkeys have a \u201cpecking order\u201d of dominance and will chase you or block your way<\/a> if you or your pet act scared.<\/p>\n The nonprofit organization advises that you assert dominance and scaring the birds away by making noises, waving your arms, yelling or blowing a whistle.<\/p>\n If possible, you can open an umbrella, throw balls or squirt water at the turkey with a hose or squirt gun.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough wild turkeys may look large and intimidating, they are usually timid and scare easily,\u201d the Humane Society said.<\/p>\n During the spring mating season, male turkeys can be drawn to and aggressive with reflective surfaces, such as windows, cars and mirrors, the Humane Society said. After you\u2019ve chased the turkey away, cover any shining surfaces.<\/p>\n Can I feed wild turkeys?<\/p>\n According to state fish and wildlife officials, \u201cwild turkeys don\u2019t need your handouts<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Feeding turkeys will make them comfortable around your property and can cause trouble for you and your neighbors.<\/p>\n Fish and wildlife officials advise people to remove bird feeders until the turkeys leave the area and install sprinklers if the wild fowl keep roaming into yards.<\/p>\n Can I kill wild turkeys?<\/p>\n If you plan to serve wild turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, you should think twice.<\/p>\n Shooting a firearm<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you cannot go and shoot these turkeys,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CFDW2.png\" "\\"CFDW2.png\\"")
A pair of turkeys give chase to a postal vehicle driving a residential street in Arden Arcade in an image from a video in 2022. California Department of Fish and Wildlife How did wild turkeys come to California?<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1_MC_POSTAL_TURKEYS_03.jpeg\" "\\"1_MC_POSTAL_TURKEYS_03\\"")
A wild turkey trots across Palmyra Drive in 2016 Manny Crisostomo Sacramento Bee file Are wild turkeys a problem?<\/p>\n