La Conner's turkey round-up

UPDATE -- noon Saturday, Oct. 23

The four young turkey who ventured into the turkey trap Thursday night are settled into their new digs at a Snohomish County Christmas tree farm, where they are expected to enjoy life as local celebrities. 

Meanwhile, back at the La Conner turkey trap -- the turkeys still won't go near it! But squirrels and deer stop by to eat the sunflower seeds and bread used for turkey bait. 

UPDATE -- 11:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22

 Nope! No turkeys in the turkey trap. But it seems other critters like the turkey bait!

UPDATE -- 9:26 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22:

Four of the five young poults obviously did not listen to their parents and walked into the turkey trap Thursday night. They will be taken to their new home today, Friday.
Efforts to catch the rest of the birds continue ...

Turkeys are no dumb clucks

Last year’s turkey round-up was a matter of building a large net cage, baiting it and waiting for the birds to walk in.

But so far this year it’s a different story.

When La Conner Code Enforcement Officer Bill Stokes set out the turkey trap again after the Town Council directed him to catch and relocate the entire flock, the turkeys wouldn't fall for that old trick again.

This morning, “I got them all right up to the trap, but they wouldn’t go inside,” Stokes said.

All but the five new little poults were here last year when they saw 11 turkeys trapped and never seen again. They don't know that the turkeys captured last year are very lucky birds living in the lap of luxury at Precious Life Animal Sanctuary in Sequim.

This year all 12 birds left in town have reservations at another place where they will be similarly pampered.

Not only are the turkeys wise to the trap, they have people aiding and abetting their fugitive status.

Wednesday evening Stokes was walking along South Third Street. He was like the Pied Piper with all 12 turkeys happily following him as he dropped a trail of hot dog bun pieces.

About a block away from the turkey trap, a woman ran out of a house and tore up a whole loaf of bread in the street.

Naturally, the birds quit following the guy with the measly hot dog buns.