Yes, wild turkeys are found in Canada, representing a significant conservation success story of wildlife reestablishment. These large game birds were once extirpated from their native Canadian range but have successfully returned and adapted to various habitats across the country. Their current presence is the result of dedicated reintroduction programs, allowing the species to thrive in the northern climate and providing opportunities for wildlife viewing and regulated hunting.
Presence and Species of Wild Turkeys
The wild turkey found in Canada is the species Meleagris gallopavo, a native upland game bird of North America. Adult males, called toms or gobblers, can weigh between 8 to 13 kilograms.
The two main subspecies established in Canada are the Eastern Wild Turkey (M. gallopavo silvestris) and the Merriam’s Wild Turkey (M. gallopavo merriami). The Eastern Wild Turkey, which has iridescent plumage with shades of dark brown, bronze, and copper, was native to southern Ontario and Quebec. The Merriam’s Wild Turkey, recognizable by its beige tail tips, was introduced to western provinces and prefers pine-oak forests and varying elevations.
Geographic Distribution Across Canadian Provinces
The wild turkey population in Canada is widely distributed across the southern regions of several provinces, demonstrating successful expansion beyond its original historical range. Ontario has the most established and widespread population, with the Eastern Wild Turkey found throughout the central and southern parts of the province, extending as far north as Lake Nipissing. Population estimates for Ontario have reached approximately 70,000 to 100,000 birds. In Quebec, the Eastern Wild Turkey is also well-established in the southwestern region, including the Pontiac area.
In Western Canada, the Merriam’s Wild Turkey is present in all four provinces, though often in localized areas. British Columbia’s populations are primarily restricted to the valleys of the East and West Kootenay regions and the southeast Okanagan. Alberta’s wild turkeys are confined mainly to the southwest portion of the province and the Cypress Hills.
Manitoba hosts populations of both the Eastern and Merriam’s subspecies in the southeastern part of the province. Saskatchewan also hosts Merriam’s Wild Turkeys in the southern sections. The Atlantic provinces have seen transient or small, localized populations, with New Brunswick having some presence.
The History of Reestablishment
Wild turkeys were once common in parts of southern Ontario and Quebec, but their presence was lost due to human activities. Unregulated market hunting and the clearing of habitat for agricultural expansion led to the extirpation of the Eastern Wild Turkey from Canada by the early 1900s. The last native bird in Ontario was seen around 1909, marking a period of about 75 years where the bird was absent from the Canadian landscape.
Serious efforts to restore the population began in the 1980s, primarily in Ontario, led by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Early attempts using pen-raised birds failed because these captive-bred turkeys lacked the survival skills of their wild counterparts. The successful strategy involved a “trap and transfer” program, where wild-trapped birds were imported from various U.S. states, including Michigan, Missouri, and New York.
Between 1984 and 1987, roughly 4,400 wild turkeys were released at over 275 sites across Ontario. This restoration effort was a collaborative exchange, where Ontario provided other species, such as moose and otters, to the U.S. states in return for the wild turkeys. Western provinces saw introductions of the Merriam’s subspecies beginning in the mid-20th century, with Manitoba receiving birds as early as 1958 and Alberta in 1962.
Management and Human Interaction
Current management of the wild turkey population in Canada focuses on maintaining sustainability and providing regulated opportunities for human interaction. Provincial authorities, such as the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, manage the population through monitoring and harvest regulation.
Hunting is a primary tool for population management, with most established provinces offering regulated spring and sometimes fall hunting seasons. Data collected from these regulated hunts provide wildlife managers with information on population health and distribution. The successful reestablishment in Ontario led to the first modern spring hunt in 1987, just three years after the initial releases.
As populations have grown and expanded their range, interactions with the public and agricultural producers have become more common. Conservation efforts now focus on minimizing human-turkey conflict, such as crop depredation, and educating landowners about the species. The success of the turkey’s reintroduction proves that habitat restoration and science-based management can yield positive outcomes for wildlife biodiversity.