How Will Davis Tame Wild Turkey Problem?

DAVIS (CBS13) — Davis is looking for answers to its turkey troubles.

Wild turkeys are an every day sight at the Rancho Yolo senior community in Davis.

"There are a few people who don't like the turkeys, I'm not one of them, i love the turkeys," said resident Greg Rayshel.

Residents say they've seen the flock grow each year.

"It seems like there are more," he said.

"Just within the last couple months, there's been a female turkey that's had a number of chicks," said resident Ninette Lawrence.

Now the city is trying to deal with a growing number of complaints.

"I don't care for them; they're very messy," Lawrence said. "Their droppings are everywhere."

But others like Geri Gmahling enjoy having them around.

Ten years ago, there were only about nine wild turkeys in Davis, but now there are close to 100.

Now city leaders are trying to figure out how to reduce the flock.

The Davis City Council approved a plan that would use nets and cages to relocate the birds to a rural area, and they'll support natural predators of the turkeys, as well as use selective killing of aggressive birds.