12 Effective Ways to Attract Wild Turkeys to Your Yard

Whether you’re looking for natural pest control or simply love to watch these beautiful birds, there are a plethora of ways to attract wild turkeys to your yard. They are unique animals that thrive in social situations. 

There are plenty of creative ways to lure these animals to your yard. They can thrive in both suburban and rural areas. If you live near a stream or forest, you’ll have the added benefit of their favorite environments. 

1. Leave Out Acorns

If there is one thing that turkeys love to eat, it’s acorns! These nuts help them survive the chilly weather that winter brings. If you have mature oak trees in your yard, you’re likely to see plenty of turkeys. 

If you don’t have trees that produce acorns, you can buy them in bulk at feed stores. Scatter them throughout the area of your yard if you want to see wild turkeys. They’re most likely to consume acorns in the fall as the temperatures start to dip. 

2. Mow Grass Regularly

No, we’re not making sure you get your yard work done! Did you know that routinely mowing your grass will invite turkeys to the area? These birds love to dine on fresh-growing grass and any of the bugs that crawl along the blades. 

The longer your grass is, the less likely you are to see turkeys in your yard. Long grass can invite natural predators such as snakes and raccoons. Mow your grass to keep these creatures at bay and invite wild turkeys! 

3. Create a Dining Area

It may sound silly to create a dining area for an animal, but it will help you attract wild turkeys to your yard. Start by choosing one spot in the yard that you want the turkeys to visit. Then, make sure that the location is always stocked with their favorite foods.

Turkeys love to eat a variety of nuts, berries, grapes, corn, and mixed bird seed. 

4. Make a Clearing Near Forests

Do you have woodland in your backyard? This can present the perfect opportunity to witness wild turkeys on your land. They adore wandering around in open spaces surrounded by trees. If you have a plethora of trees, make a clearing for the turkeys to enjoy. 

They may even nest in the area if you’re lucky! 

5. Plant Berry Bushes 

You know that turkeys like acorns and that you can create a dining spot for them. What if you planted a few berry bushes to attract and help feed wild turkeys? This is a great way to bring in young turkeys to your yard. 

They love a variety of berries. You can plant bushes in said dining area, or in any spot in your yard you wish to see these beautiful birds. 

6. Provide Water

Just like food, turkeys need water to survive. In order to attract wild turkeys to your yard, make a watering hole. Because these animals are fairly large, they’ll need plenty of water. 

You can install a large bird bath, just make sure it’s plenty wide and deep. Be sure to change out the water regularly to prevent mold from forming. Fresh water will also keep annoying pests at bay. 

7. Keep Mature Trees

Not only do mature trees make your yard look better, but turkeys need them for a place to roost! They tend to build their nests off the ground to avoid predators that may want to harm their young. 

If you have mature trees that produce acorns and you can create a clearing around them, you’re sure to have wild turkeys in your yard. 

8. Make a Foraging Garden

If you have a green thumb and want to provide plenty of food for wild turkeys, make a foraging garden. These large birds love clovers and many people consider these plants weeds, yet turkeys can’t get enough! 

In addition to clovers, plant legumes! These cause the wild turkeys to use their natural instincts to peck and open beans and seeds for a tasty treat! 

9. Avoid Raking Leaves

One less outdoor chore will have you attracting wild turkeys to your yard in no time! That’s right – stop raking leaves in the fall and these birds will come in droves! Turkeys use fallen leaves and branches to make their nests.

The more of these natural materials that are available, the more likely a turkey will visit to build a nest. 

10. Stop Using Pesticides

Another way to attract wild turkeys to your yard is by keeping the crawling critters that you may find on your grass and in the garden. Turkeys love to dine on bugs! When you stop using pesticides, bugs will flock to your land. 

This invites turkeys in and they’ll take care of the pesky insects. It’s a win-win! 

11. Place Decoys

Although hunters use decoys, homeowners can as well! They’ll still attract turkeys to your yard. It’s important to get realistic decoys that you can buy or make yourself. Be sure to place the decoys in an open area where the living turkeys will be able to see them. 

12. Use a Turkey Call

In the same vein of decoys, you can also use a turkey call to bring these animals to your land. It’s essential to make the calls properly, as these noises are how turkeys communicate with one another. 

Using a call too much can have the opposite effect. A few sounds here and there will lure the animals in, while too many will scare them off.

Downsides of Attracting Wild Turkeys to Your Yard

While we’re focusing on bringing turkeys to your yard, there are some issues you may want to be aware of. The last thing we want is for you to attract these animals without knowing the damage they can do. 

Generally speaking, turkeys are harmless animals. Here is some important information regarding bringing these large birds onto your land, though.

Possible Damages

Turkeys will do just about anything to have a full stomach. This means they can eat anything in your garden, including your favorite flowers or blossoming crops. They also drop feces all over, especially if there’s an entire flock. 

This can make your yard look and be dirty. There is additionally the possibility of these birds damaging patio furniture, bird feeders, and fencing. We do want to mention that wild turkeys can be aggressive.

Males often become territorial when it’s breeding season. This typically takes place during April and May. It is in your best interest to be aware of this if you have small children or pets that play outdoors. 

Summary of the Best Ways to Attract Wild Turkeys to Your Yard