Wild turkeys wander into downtown Gardnerville

At least three of the 17 wild turkeys planted near the West Fork of the Carson River in January have made it into town.

Over the weekend, several residents spotted the turkeys in downtown Gardnerville, loitering around the Gardnerville town offices on Highway 395, and scampering about the Scolari's parking lot.

Tracking tags, placed on the birds at the time of the plant, could be seen on their skinny legs as they scurried through the streets.

"They were totally disoriented," said Gardnerville resident Felicia Archer, who saw the birds heading towards Lampe Park on Saturday evening. "Like, 'Man, did we take a wrong turn.' All the cars stopped at let them cross."

The Rio Grande turkeys were originally caught in a cemetery in the Sacramento Valley, where the wild turkey population has increased to the point of nuisance. Three months ago, Nevada wildlife officials transferred the turkeys to a remote corner of the Valley, hoping to establish a healthy population of the large game bird.

"This is the first time we've planted down in this end of the Valley," state wildlife biologist Carl Lackey said in January. "The birds do very well in Nevada. This is ideal habitat. They need thick cover and trees for roosting. We'll continue planting the next two or three weeks until we have about 50. We hope the population persists."

But on Monday, Lackey was concerned about the wild birds' downtown debut.

"We didn't expect all the birds to stay right where we put them," he said. "We hoped they would disperse somewhat, but we definitely didn't want them dispersing in downtown Minden and Gardnerville."

Lackey said while some of the birds scattered into the Pine Nuts, at least three of wandered down the West Fork, jumped over to the East Fork corridor, and eventually made their way into town.

"My guess is that they're young jakes (young males)," Lackey said. "It's mating season, and the other turkeys are strutting."

Lackey hopes the birds will leave town on their own, before causing trouble.

"If they start causing problems, we'll have to capture them," he said. "Maybe they'll get the idea on their own that they're not wanted, and will take off."

Lackey said if anyone sees the birds in a parking lot or some other public place in the daytime, they should call him at 688-1331.

"Give me a heads-up, and maybe we can facilitate a capture," he said.