Q: Can farmers shoot turkeys that are damaging their crops?
Jeff Helsdon, OOD turkey columnist
A: Farmers are allowed to harass, capture, or kill wild turkeys that they have reasonable grounds to believe are damaging or about to damage their property on their land. The mere presence of a wild turkey does not provide reasonable grounds that it will damage the farmer’s property. The turkey must have already damaged the property or be about to damage the property. Farmers may also use agents to take these actions on their behalf; not all agents may conduct all three activities (harass, capture, kill). For example, people who are acting as agents based solely on having a valid outdoors card and the necessary accreditation for getting a hunting licence may harass or kill wildlife, but not capture it.
Answer by: David Critchlow and Brenda Koenig, Provincial Enforcement Specialists, MNR
Please check the most recent Ontario hunting and fishing regulations summaries, as rules and regulations can change
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Originally published in the August 2024 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS
