Wild Turkeys Killed in Alleged Hit-and-Run Near Thief River Falls

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Wild Turkeys Killed in Alleged Hit-and-Run Near Thief River Falls

Conservation officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are investigating what they describe as the intentional killing of multiple wild turkeys along a roadway in northwest Minnesota.

The incident occurred Feb. 20 near 110th Avenue NW outside Thief River Falls. According to the DNR’s weekly enforcement report, several birds were found dead in what officers believe was a deliberate act rather than an accidental vehicle collision. Conservation officers are asking for tips from the public as they work to identify those responsible.

While vehicle collisions with turkeys are not uncommon in rural areas, especially in late winter when birds group up along plowed roads, officers indicated this case appeared different. The positioning of the birds and the scene evidence led them to classify the incident as malicious.

No charges have been filed as of this week.

Thief River Falls, Minn., where conservation officers are investigating a suspected hit-and-run involving multiple wild turkeys along a nearby roadway

For many hunters, the obvious question is whether the situation would have been legal if the individuals had stopped, tagged the birds, and taken them home.

Under Minnesota law, wild turkeys may only be harvested during established hunting seasons and with the appropriate license and tag. Shooting from a vehicle, intentionally running over wildlife, or taking game outside of the legal season are all violations. Even if the birds were struck accidentally, possession is not automatically legal.

Salvaging big game like deer typically requires notifying authorities and obtaining a possession permit. Turkeys do not fall under a broad roadkill salvage provision in the same way, and taking them without proper authorization could still result in citations.

A rural stretch of 10th Avenue NW near Thief River Falls, where wild turkeys are commonly seen along the roadside and where officers are investigating a suspected intentional hit-and-run involving multiple birds

In short, even if someone had loaded the birds into the truck, it would not have made the situation lawful if the act itself was intentional or outside of season.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the DNR’s Turn In Poachers hotline at 1-800-652-9093.

Tips can be reported anonymously, and information leading to charges may qualify for a reward.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award-winning outdoor journalist who resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outdoor column for the Slidell Independent Newspaper. He also writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Commission’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He is the former host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Show and is on the board of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association. Keith contributes to numerous publications both online and in print and prides himself on promoting South Louisiana’s unique fishery. To contact Keith email: keithlusherjr@gmail.com