Our officers use the robo-turkeys to snare poachers as they attempt to shoot the
decoys, said Col. Julie Jones, FWC’s law enforcement director. Having five more
of these in the field will greatly increase our ability to catch unethical
hunters and conserve one of Florida’s prized game birds.
Robo-turkeys are not cheap, costing around $700 a piece, and since they are not
bulletproof, they often have a short lifespan. That is why NWTF has stepped in
to offer assistance.
Our group made a commitment to provide the mechanical birds to all five FWC
regional offices, NWTF Florida Chapter President Bill Marvin said. We appreciate
the agency’s commitment to enforcing wildlife laws and want to help officers
with their efforts.
NWTF has donated a total of 15 birds to the agency during the last three years.
The five new robo-turkeys include four gobblers and one hen.
This latest donation couldn’t have come at a better time. Florida’s spring
turkey season began this month.
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