...got me thinking: is it really necessary to exterminate a flock of indigenous wild turkeys in the Crow Canyon CC gated community, for doing what comes (and goes) naturally to the birds? Has Manifest Destiny really come to this? Really?
The first article announces The Plan half-cocked by the Homeowners’ Association to engage a “certified” hunter to kill ¾ of the indigenous flock. Their crime against humanity: “the main problem is turkey droppings, which are 'everywhere.' The birds can also cause such problems as damaging flower and vegetable gardens and scratching cars.”
Even if the hyperbolic “everywhere” happened to be true, are hoses illegal in Crow Canyon? And note the verb choice in the second sentence. One “can” only assume that they “haven’t.” If you believe these shallow rationalizations are so much, well, turkey poop, please raise your hand – mine’s up. I’m mildly surprised that they didn’t invoke the classic South Park episode about a community tragically beset by a turkey revolt Web Link , except that this variation on the theme really isn't funny.
The second article makes reference to Fremont’s having ended its contract with a local company that supplies Border Collies to control their local lands that have been befowled by Canada Geese. It was apparently done on the economics, and not on any ineffectiveness, of that solution.
When not pursuing higher education goals (google: “Chaser”), these brilliant and indefatigable canines delight in physical work, including “herding” geese and other birds away from places we late arrivers wish they weren’t – golf courses, airports, beaches, etc. They are not bred or built to kill, but to annoy their subjects into compliance – in this case, inducing them to prefer the wide open spaces surrounding the human enclave. I’d also reckon that the conditions are neaRLY perfect – perimeter fencing and slow speeds on the internal roads (so far enforced by speed bumps, thankfully, rather than hunters).
When humans were granted dominion over the animals (Genesis 1:26 for those of you, so inclined, following at home), it came with a stewardship obligation that we homo sapiens have honored, as here, mainly in the breach. We too lightly resort to this kind of final solution. Can’t we – I’m looking at YOU, Crow Canyon Homeowners Association – do better than this?
Posted by Derek, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jan 26, 2011 at 9:04 am
I don't know Cardinal - I think those lilywhite gate-dwellers need to take up hunting and turn that golf course into an open range. Why should they pay top dollar for turkey breast at Draegers when food's only as far away as their back forty?
Posted by lilly what?, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jan 26, 2011 at 10:58 am
hey derek, your references of lilly white gate dwellers suggest to me that you grew up in an area infested with drugs and crime like oakland, richmond, or even antioch. danville is awesome. people pay a lot of money for their homes around here and the have the right to complain about birds damaging their personal property or even making their lives more difficult. and if you think shooting the birds is the answer, you need to check out linden, ca. i remember in high school, at san ramon high some guy and his friend got caught shooting a deer in whitegate out of their jeep. Danville is just not the place for this type of behavior. good luck with your adjustment to suburbia
Posted by talkin' turkey, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jan 26, 2011 at 11:16 am
Here's the poop on the turkeys. First of all they're not indigenous. I think they flew in from Massachusetts because until a few years ago there were no turkeys at Crow Canyon CC. As for the dog, sorry to say it doesn't work. The turkeys don't leave. They just fly up into the trees or onto the roofs until the dog leaves. Speaking of which the HOA has had several expensive roof repairs due to turkey damage. Additionally they root around in the flower beds and lawns, damaging the landscaping. They peck on cars when they see their reflections. They roam the streets in large groups blocking car and foot traffic. And your small pet can be fair game. So bye bye birdie.
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