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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Former Medford-area legislator Eldon Johnson dies ... Fourth-graders — and their families — can get into Crater Lake for free ... New program helps Ashland teachers catch stragglers before they fail ... Former Medford-area legislator Eldon Johnson dies ... Fourth-graders — and their families — can get into Crater Lake for free ... New program helps Ashland teachers catch stragglers before they fail ... OUR VIEW Our View: Importing game birds: a turkey of an idea MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 2, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Sep. 2, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> It seemed like a good idea at the time. In 1975, wildlife biologists decided to import crates of Rio Grande turkeys from Texas to Oregon so hunters would have a new game bird to pursue. The turkeys liked it here just fine, thank you, and proceeded to be fruitful and multiply. And they didn't confine themselves to the foothills east of Medford where they were originally released. They spread far and wide, and four decades later, wild turkeys now inhabit all 36 of Oregon's counties. To the consternation of local residents, they also find city neighborhoods to their liking. But their scratching and pooping is a nuisance most residents would rather do without. The problem is, it's illegal to discharge a firearm inside the city limits. And even outside of town, many non-hunters are not prepared to take up arms against the offending fowl. Nor should they have to, considering that the turkeys aren't native to this state and are here for the purpose of being hunted.  Licensed trappers who will remove skunks and other unwanted critters can't legally trap turkeys because they are a game bird under state law. With a special permit, however, a trapper could remove and kill turkeys and donate the meat to local food banks. That seems to be the best solution to the problem. Biologists have been known to trap and relocate large flocks of the birds when necessary, but they say they have better things to do than spend their time and resources trapping turkeys. That's not what local residents want to hear, and it's hard to blame them for being annoyed when the birds' sharp spurs damage roofs and gardens and their droppings foul decks and patios. The Department of Fish and Wildlife should create an official program that allows wildlife control operators to remove nuisance turkeys from the city limits of local communities. And state biologists should think twice before importing any more non-native species. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 2, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501