The Wild Turkeys Of Moapa Valley

By NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

There is a group of peculiar Moapa Valley residents that are commonly seen but who are just not natural here. And they can be of special interest during this week of Thanksgiving.

The wild turkey population of Moapa Valley is easy to spot in green fields and along the ditch banks of the community. But they are not native or “normal” to this area. So why are these noble birds here?

Wild turkeys have been permanent residents of Overton ever since the 1960s. In an attempt to bring the bird back from near extinction, the birds were transported and relocated here from Texas and other states. Overton was selected as a prime location with the Overton Wildlife Management Area.

Two species were introduced to this small southern Nevada community including The Rio Grande turkey and the Merriam’s wild turkey. But one time was not enough to keep the wild turkey population thriving in this desert habitat.

“Because the species are not native, we at times have to do more introductions of other turkeys to continue to keep the species progressing,” said Ashley Sanchez, Public Information Officer for Nevada Department of Wildlife. “But overall they have become almost self-sufficient.”

The local birds are protected by law. But they have become a nuisance or problem for some residents. They have especially posed a problem when eating crops growing in the valley, like pomegranates.

Another issue that arises is the local frequent road crossings for the turkeys. The most notable is on Cooper Street by the Fetherstone Family Farm where they sometimes stop traffic for a moment while they get across the street.

The toms, hens, and poults gather consistently around Cooper Street and Cooper crossing. They are known to move up to 25 mph when running and they eat little insects, berries, and seeds, as well as small reptiles.

The turkeys are so privileged in Moapa Valley that they have even had their own crossing sign on Cooper Street, warning motorists that they may be present. After many times of being stolen, though, the sign was eventually not replaced anymore.

Hunting tags for wild turkeys are limited to only 3 per year for the Overton area. All applications have to be in by the beginning of February and the hunting season runs from the middle of March until late April. The fine for poaching a wild turkey carries a stiff maximum of $5,000.

“They are a good thing, and we have thoroughly enjoyed having them running around here and there,” said Overton resident Karla Fetherston of Fetherston Family Farms. “They travel around and go in and out of Bob Behmer’s place and the big cottonwood tree nearby. The only nuisance we have seen is bird poop.”

Fetherston talked about how she enjoyed raising pheasants when younger. But there are no pheasants seen anymore in Overton.

“They give out only three turkey hunting tags a year here, and we have millions of them; while there are just no pheasants ever seen anymore,” Fetherston said. “Even so, we find it a joy to watch the turkeys and observe them, especially with our grandkids.”

Fetherston recalls that when she was younger there were hardly any turkeys around.
“It is more recently in last ten years or so, when they made a trade for some bighorn sheep and brought more turkeys in, that they flourished and have become so many,” said Fetherston.

There were other areas in Nevada where wild turkeys have been reduced. One was at Meadow Valley up near Caliente, Nevada. Another was done in the 1980s in the Spring Mountains by Mt. Charleston.

Unfortunately, the birds did not flourish there. However, there have been rumors of turkey gobbling being heard up in that area again recently.

“They are here to stay,” said Fetherston. “And we enjoy them and their beauty.”