Yes, wild turkeys are present and well-established throughout California. The current population is the result of a successful reintroduction program that began over six decades ago. These highly adaptable birds thrive in various environments, from remote woodlands to suburban settings. Their success has made the wild turkey a common sight for many residents and a regulated game bird for hunters.
Current Distribution Across California
Wild turkeys now inhabit approximately 29,000 square miles of California, representing about 18% to 25% of the state’s total area. Their primary habitat consists of lower elevation oak woodlands and the foothills of mountain ranges. This preference is largely due to the availability of acorns, a primary food source, and suitable roosting trees near permanent water sources.
The most extensive populations are found in the Sierra Nevada foothills and throughout the Coast Ranges, including the Central Coast region. Key areas of concentration include the Sacramento suburbs, the mixed temperate forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the foothills of the Klamath and Cascade mountain ranges in Northern California. The Rio Grande subspecies is the most widespread across these lower-elevation, mixed oak habitats.
The Merriam’s subspecies occupies higher elevations, typically above 3,000 feet, in habitats dominated by coniferous trees. These populations are found in parts of the northeastern region and the Transverse Range in Kern County.
The History of Introduction and Spread
The wild turkeys seen in California today are not native to the region; the last indigenous species, Meleagris californica, went extinct approximately 10,000 years ago. Early attempts to introduce the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) date back to 1877, when birds from Mexico were released on Santa Cruz Island. Subsequent stocking efforts in the early 1900s, often using game-farm birds, proved unsuccessful in establishing viable, self-sustaining populations.
The successful reintroduction program began in 1959, spearheaded by the California Department of Fish and Game, now the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). This effort focused on translocating wild-caught birds rather than farm-raised ones. The initial successful release involved 62 Rio Grande turkeys sourced from Texas.
The Rio Grande subspecies was released in over 200 locations and is the most prevalent subspecies in the state today. Merriam’s turkeys were also introduced into higher-elevation pine habitats, mirroring their native environment in the Rocky Mountains. This strategic effort resulted in the widespread establishment of the current population, which continues to expand its range.
Ecology and State Management
Wild turkeys in California are opportunistic omnivores whose diet is significantly influenced by seasonal changes in food availability. Acorns from oak trees are a staple food, particularly during the fall and winter months, providing necessary energy reserves. During the spring and summer, their diet shifts to include wild oat seeds, green grasses, various berries, and a substantial number of invertebrates.
Young turkeys, called poults, have a high-protein requirement for rapid growth and rely heavily on insects during their first weeks of life. The reproductive cycle begins in the spring, with increasing daylight triggering breeding behavior like gobbling and strutting in male birds. Hens become solitary for nesting, laying a clutch of about 10 to 12 eggs on the ground in a well-concealed location.
The CDFW manages the wild turkey population, defining them as a Resident Upland Game Bird and utilizing hunting as a primary tool for population control. Hunting helps maintain the birds’ natural wariness of humans and prevents overpopulation in localized areas. A valid hunting license and an upland game bird stamp are required to legally pursue turkeys.
There are both spring and fall hunting seasons, each with specific regulations. The spring season is focused on the harvest of male birds, or gobblers, with a typical limit of three per hunter for the season. The fall season generally allows for the take of one turkey, which may be a gobbler or a hen.
Human-Wildlife Interaction and Nuisance
As wild turkey populations have grown and expanded into suburban areas, conflicts with human residents have become more common. Turkeys can cause property damage by scratching up lawns and gardens while foraging for insects and seeds. They may also leave significant droppings on decks, walkways, and patios, and large males can sometimes roost on cars.
Aggressive behavior can occur, particularly in male turkeys during the spring mating season, when they may charge or confront people. In these situations, using an assertive posture or an object like an open umbrella can help deter the bird. Intentional or unintentional feeding is a primary source of conflict, causing birds to lose their natural fear of people.
Residents are advised to remove attractants like bird feeders and pet food left outside to discourage turkeys from frequenting their property. Motion-detecting sprinklers can be an effective, non-harmful deterrent. Depredation permits are available through the CDFW for persistent cases of property damage caused by wild turkeys.