Saw three waterturkeys on my 2 acre pond this weekend. Is there anything I can do to discourage them from using my pond as a buffet?

Lead or steel ! You can/may get a depredation permit.

Trap was under water due to high water and I assume this bird chased a fish but got more than what he wanted or maybe it thought it was a beaver.

Is that a cormorant? Man do they eat fish!

Yep, I had several that decide my pond was an unlimited buffet early last year. There are several large ponds (30 to 500 acre ponds) a half mile or so north of mine that has flocks of cormorants that inhabit them. I put an end to their dining quickly.

Many thanks, got some turkey loads in 3 1/2 inch...will check on the permit....this could work.

I'd bet a 22 would work just fine. At least they might at 100 yards. No reason in making too much noise, after you get your permit.

I have had very good luck with the fake gator decoys on the water turkeys.

In fact they have not come back since I placed the two fake gator decoys.



Gator Decoys

Footnote: My gator decoys have not worked on the herons.

Do they work on geese?

These have apparently have also kept the herons away for me. I got a pair after Zep's original post, and have been happy with them. I have them in my small CNBG forage pond, and have seen the herons circle, but not land in this pond.

Funny thing is 2 small mallard ducklings have taken up residence in this pond, and they pay them no mind. They swim all around them like they're not there.

I have had no problems dispatching them with #4 2 3/4" across my 1.5 acre pond.
I have a hard time shooting anything on the water (ethically, not the ability). It is pretty fun waiting to see where they will pop up after a dive and still make the shot. I have had them dive in one corner of the pond and come up on the other side of the island which is about 200-250 feet, it makes for good practice.

In Texas, my buddy's permit requires you to use steel shot, and write down the license number of the shooter, and how the birds were disposed of (burial or burned).

Tman,

Go here and talk to TP&W

TP&W dep permit PDF

Apply for a depravation permit