Wyoming Game & Fish Department Receives $2,000 Donation for Live Wild Turkey Trap

The Wyoming Game & Fish Department has announced a generous $2,000 donation from the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to fund the purchase of a live trap designed specifically for wild turkeys, Oil City News reports.

The donation will support the department’s ongoing efforts to manage and relocate turkeys in urban areas, particularly around Casper, where the birds have become a frequent presence.

Brandon Werner, a spokesperson for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on wildlife management efforts.

“This new live trap will play a vital role in our efforts to address the growing challenges posed by wild turkeys in Casper neighborhoods and around the state as needed. It allows us to capture and relocate these birds to more suitable habitats where they can thrive,” Werner said.

Wild turkeys, including some members of the infamous “Thomas Gobbles Gang,” have increasingly been seen in residential areas of Casper. These adaptable birds are drawn to urban environments due to the availability of food and shelter. However, their presence can result in property damage and conflicts with local residents. In 2024, Wyoming Game & Fish successfully trapped and relocated over 140 turkeys from the Casper area and surrounding neighborhoods.

The live turkey trap funded by the NWTF will provide a more effective and safe way to manage these urban turkey populations. The trap allows officials to capture groups of turkeys in areas where using nets could be difficult, ensuring a humane relocation process to less populated habitats.

The NWTF, a leading organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild turkey populations, has been an advocate for sustainable wildlife management for many years. David Nikonow, a district biologist with the NWTF in Wyoming, emphasized the dual benefits of the donation: reducing conflicts between turkeys and residents while ensuring the birds remain wild.

“Assisting the Wyoming Game and Fish with managing habituated and nuisance birds is not only important to reduce public frustration of wild turkeys, but this effort also makes sure these wildlife remain wild,” Nikonow said. “It’s also an added benefit that many of these birds can be relocated from their urban setting into areas that provide public hunting opportunities.”

While wild turkeys can be a fascinating sight for residents, they often cause damage to property, including vehicles, trees, and yards. The Game & Fish Department encourages Casper residents to help minimize human-turkey conflicts by following a few simple guidelines:

• Remove food sources: Avoid leaving birdseed, pet food, or other attractants outdoors. Feeding wild turkeys is prohibited in the City of Casper.
• Do not feed wild turkeys: Feeding them can lead to habituation and increase the likelihood of conflicts.
• Use deterrents: Motion-activated sprinklers and other methods can help keep turkeys away from residential areas.

The Game & Fish Department urges residents to report any sightings of wild turkeys causing issues to their office at 307-473-3400.