Their well developed instinct for survival and excellent eyesight and hearing help to keep them out of harm's way. Hens on the nest, as well as poults during their first few weeks of life, are most vulnerable to predation. Free-ranging domestic dogs can severely reduce nesting success in populated areas. A Connecticut regulation prohibits individuals from releasing any turkey into the wild. Releasing pen-raised wild turkeys will only serve to jeopardize the expansion and survival of the existing wild turkey population.
Birds raised in captivity are host to a reservoir of diseases and are of a poorer genetic strain.
They also do not possess the instincts to survive in the wild. It is also recommended not to feed wild turkeys, as this encourages the spread of disease and loss of wild instincts. Thanks to the restoration program involving the trap and transfer of wild turkeys throughout the state, Connecticut now has a healthy, growing population of wild turkeys. In addition, Connecticut has assisted other states with wild turkey restoration efforts. Create small, irregular-shaped one to three acre forest openings isolated from roads and houses.