Laserfiche WebLink
Another resident at 1398 Arden View Drive also submitted a letter with pictures expressing <br />concern about the increasing number of wild turkeys in �rden Hills, though they did not request <br />the City to remove the turkeys (Attachment A). <br />VViid Turke� Removal <br />As described in the March 8, 2010, memorandum to the City Council, the DNR can issue a <br />permit to a city to have a specific number of wild turkeys captured and killed. Staff spoke with <br />Bryan Leuth, Area Wildlife Supervisor for the DNR, to obtain additional details about the permit <br />process and turkey control. The DNR does not have a relocation program because that may <br />relocate the nuisance rather than solving the concern and it may cause genetic contamination <br />between true wild turkeys and turkeys that have been raised and released by people. Private <br />hunters can obtain turkey hunting permits; however, most communities in the metropolitan area <br />do not permit hunting and/or the discharge of �rearms. In Arden Hills, the City Code prohibits <br />discharging a firearn�, including a bow and arrow, for hunting purposes (Section 620.03). A <br />person can request a permit from the City Council to use a firearm. If a turkey becomes a safety <br />threat, a peace officer is allowed to kill the wild animal without prior permission. <br />Before a city can obtain a permit to remove wild turkeys, the DNR requests that the city attempt <br />to educate the public on how to abate the turkey nuisance without eliminating the turkeys. The <br />DNR website includes information on turkey control (Attachment B). This information has been <br />provided to Ms. Heiman, and she noted that she is not providing food for the turkeys. In cases <br />where the turkeys continue to be a nuisance, the DNR will issue the removal permit to capture <br />and kill the turkeyse In order to determine the number of turkeys that should be removed, the <br />DNI� requires the city to request a particular number for removal and provide documentation on <br />the reason for the number. A city can then contract to have the turkeys removed and killed. <br />Mr. Leuth noted that it becomes more difficult in the spring to catch the wild turkeys because it <br />is the start of their mating season and the turkeys often disburse once the snow has melted. In <br />some cases, turkeys will remain in one location for a longer period of time. When that happens, <br />he urges residents to be aggressive with the turkeys to get them out of their yard. Mr. Leuth <br />recommended that if the City wanted to remove turkeys, the City should consider waiting until <br />the winter to be most effective. There is not sufficient information on turkey behavior to know if <br />the turkeys will gather in the same location next winter. <br />Cityo uf Shoreview Turkey Removal Update <br />At their March 1, 2010, meeting, the Shoreview City Council contracted to have up to 75 turkeys <br />captured and killed, which was author�zed by a permit from the DNR. However, the Star <br />Tribune reported on March 22 that the program was suspended after catching �ve turkeys. <br />According to the article, the change in the weather and the ability to find more food has <br />d�sbursed the turkeys (Attachment C). <br />City ofArden Hills <br />City Council Regular Meeting for March 8, 2010 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />