Wild turkeys that vanished in 1800s return to New England

(AP) — Wild turkeys, once common across New England, are back after disappearing from the region in the 19th century and are now regularly spotted in rural fields, suburban neighborhoods and even the airspace above interstate highways.

The revival is considered one of the major wildlife restoration success stories, even making it into wildlife management textbooks, said Mark Scott, director of wildlife for the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Wild turkeys are now found in all U.S. states except Alaska, said Pete Muller, public relations manager for the National Wild Turkey Federation, which is trying to maintain and expand turkey habitats across the country.

In Vermont, flocks of 200 or 300 turkeys can damage farmers' grain bunkers by eating the feed intended for cattle and fouling the rest with their droppings, Scott said.

"There are no empty spaces in the state that need wild turkeys," said Ted Walski, a turkey project biologist with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.