Is there any Wild Turkeys in Atlantic Canada??

cdn_guide71

cdn_guide71

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I've been living down south for the past four years, upon returning to NB earlier this year I've heard of rumors wild turkeys were slowly migrating up the eastern coast. Does anyone have any information to confirm or verify of any wild turkeys in this area???

I've also heard of some people importing and raising turkey with the purpose to release into the wild at some point. I don't know if this is real or not.

I do know that Maine has a turkey hunting season but have heard it was primarily south of Bangor.

I'd like to hear from anyone that knows.

Thanks,

Cdn_Guide71
:canadaFlag:
 
The real turkeys in NB are posting on Gunnutz... pretending to be firearms enthusiasts.:p

There is a NWTF Chapter in Sussex..... join them and they will get you on some birds.

Sussex, NB
New Brunswick Chapter NWTF
Tom Nannery
(207) 353-8654
tomrdnwtf@aol.com
 
There are currently birds breeding in the St. Andrews St. Stephen area, around Chipman and Minto, and in Western Carleton County. Pockets of birds have been sighted in the Mactaquac and Nackawic areas. DNR refuses to allow turkey introductions and, like cougars, prefers to pretend that they don't exist(or at least ignore them), lest they would actually have to do some work and modify the wildlife management policies which have been in place since the fifties! When pressed, DNR will say that turkeys are not native to New Brunswick (neither are pheasants, whitetailed deer and coyotes...but we won't talk about that...) therefore they can't be introduced. Some environmentalists have made a hue and cry about the fact that they are a non-native species, which could adversely affect native flora and fauna. What a crock:mad: ! There is absolutely no evidence that this has happened in Maine, which has the exact same types of ecosystems we do. These people, as well as the wood fibre barons (read:IRVING) dictate DNR policy, not sportsmen. Wildlife in this Province are a mere inconvenience to IRVING and the other timber companies, and this is reflected in DNR policy.

The only way turkeys are coming in is the way they are coming in now. Migration. As long as our winters stay relatively mild and snow free, they will thrive and breed as they have in Maine. That is, if the forest companies leave a few mature trees big enough for a turkey to roost in! Incidentally, the lack of snow in recent years is also the only reason we have any deer in this province, not anything DNR management has done.

My buddies have seen birds, but I haven't yet. When I have a bit more time I would like to get one on video.
 
You can also find quite a few turkeys in the McAdam area. I heard it's because a guy farms them there and releases about 40 a year in the wild. Not sure how true that is, but last year I was walking a trail on the Hanwell outside of Fredericton (about 40 min drive from mcadam) and seen one...not until after it seen me of course!
 
cdn guide 71:

hope you find some turkeys. Good on you for getting back to god's country.

Even if the turkeys don't pan out right away there is no end of other sporting opportunites.

You probabley need one of those chevron bears from Charlotte county this spring eh?

Enjoy.
 
A few years ago the NWTF was working with the Nova Scotia DNR toward introducing Wild Turkeys in the province. Some initial studies were done and a report released, however, the project was shelved.

I can tell you that there are no Wild Turkeys in Newfoundland, although I have heard that some guys are buying fertlized eggs and hatching their own and/or importing day-old chicks.

Not sure about PEI, maybe BerniePEI can chime in as he has a NWTF logo for his avatar? They certainly aren't native though.
 
There are pockets of wild turkeys in the Loch Lomond area on Cape Breton Island, they were introduced there in the mid 70's and seem to be doing well.
 
I subscribe to my hometown paper the Bugle/Observer from Woodstock in Carleton County N.B. A few weeks ago there were color pictures of some wild turkeys that have been hanging out west of town for the last few years.
 
they just started introducing turkeys on PEI this past summer. they released 50 so far and plan on releasing more. theres alot of people opposed to it on the island, saying they will be destructive but they went ahead with the release anyways, i hope they thrive and do well, and i hope the hill billies leave them alone.
 
theres alot of people opposed to it on the island, saying they will be destructive
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yeah lord forbid they disrupt the native potatoe migration or dirturb the golfosaurus. could be disasterous for the Islands bio-diversity.
 
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david doyle said:
yeah lord forbid they disrupt the native potatoe migration or dirturb the golfosaurus. could be disasterous for the Islands bio-diversity.
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LOL. In their defense though turkeys are not native to the Island. Bears are though. Let's reintroduce those.
 
There are active NWTF chapters in PEI, NS and NB. Wild turkeys have been seen in all 3 provinces, with NB being the only one with a "WILD" strain. They have been spotted in Woodstock NB as well.

Killer Kanuck, Bernie PEI, Hunting Ike and myself are all NWTF committee members.

Yes NB Turkeys have migrated across the border from Maine and are found in most of Maine, not just south of Bangor.

PEI and NS have come close to having a government sanctioned release and we are still working closely with government on PEI to make it happen.
 
bill c68 said:
There are active NWTF chapters in PEI, NS and NB. Wild turkeys have been seen in all 3 provinces, with NB being the only one with a "WILD" strain. They have been spotted in Woodstock NB as well.

Killer Kanuck, Bernie PEI, Hunting Ike and myself are all NWTF committee members.

Yes NB Turkeys have migrated across the border from Maine and are found in most of Maine, not just south of Bangor.

PEI and NS have come close to having a government sanctioned release and we are still working closely with government on PEI to make it happen.
Click to expand...


Good on you guys... keep up the pressure.:)
 
shepodyguide said:
There are currently birds breeding in the St. Andrews St. Stephen area, around Chipman and Minto, and in Western Carleton County. Pockets of birds have been sighted in the Mactaquac and Nackawic areas. DNR refuses to allow turkey introductions and, like cougars, prefers to pretend that they don't exist(or at least ignore them), lest they would actually have to do some work and modify the wildlife management policies which have been in place since the fifties! When pressed, DNR will say that turkeys are not native to New Brunswick (neither are pheasants, whitetailed deer and coyotes...but we won't talk about that...) therefore they can't be introduced. Some environmentalists have made a hue and cry about the fact that they are a non-native species, which could adversely affect native flora and fauna. What a crock:mad: ! There is absolutely no evidence that this has happened in Maine, which has the exact same types of ecosystems we do. These people, as well as the wood fibre barons (read:IRVING) dictate DNR policy, not sportsmen. Wildlife in this Province are a mere inconvenience to IRVING and the other timber companies, and this is reflected in DNR policy.

The only way turkeys are coming in is the way they are coming in now. Migration. As long as our winters stay relatively mild and snow free, they will thrive and breed as they have in Maine. That is, if the forest companies leave a few mature trees big enough for a turkey to roost in! Incidentally, the lack of snow in recent years is also the only reason we have any deer in this province, not anything DNR management has done.

My buddies have seen birds, but I haven't yet. When I have a bit more time I would like to get one on video.
Click to expand...

Your right on the money Shepodyguide!!! I personally have seen TWO turkeys last year, they were near the Mactaquac Esso on the way to Springfield Range! I actually couldn't believe my eyes at the time and still think about the sighting all the time!!!

Cheers
Jay
 
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