Residents of a small Utah city could face up to six months behind bars for an act many would consider harmless: feeding wild turkeys.

A little-known ordinance passed by Cache County means repeat offenders who continue supplying food to wildlife after multiple warnings could ultimately face a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The rule was introduced after officials said a growing population of wild turkeys descended on the town of Mendon, turning what was once a novelty into a major nuisance.

Every winter, the birds make their way from the nearby Wellsville Mountains into residential neighborhoods, where they have become notorious for damaging property and leaving behind a mess, The Salt Lake Tribune.

Mayor of the city of 1,482 residents, Ed Buist told the outlet that the town's turkey problem grew dramatically over the years.

'They used to be a fun sight,' Buist told the newspaper.

But a small group of birds eventually ballooned into a much larger flock.

'A dozen became 60, 60 became 100, and that 100 grew into a big problem,' he said.

Buist said the birds have caused chaos and damage through the city.

'They're big enough that they break branches off of trees. Bushes get messed up. If people have fake berries on wreaths, well, those berries are off of them, and often times the wreaths are ruined,' he said.

Despite the damage, officials say some residents have continued feeding the birds, encouraging them to remain in the area.

'We have had issues with citizens feeding them and the city deer,' Buist said. 'It does get quite frustrating to some of the citizens.'

The county's new ordinance prohibits people from intentionally or knowingly feeding wildlife on unincorporated county land, including areas between Mendon and the mountains where the turkeys frequently travel.

The turkey problem started in Mendon in 2018 when several hundred birds reportedly flooded residential areas and backyards.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources spent years trapping and relocating nuisance turkeys from Mendon and other communities across the state however they continue to return.

The ordinance includes exemptions for certain situations such as people feeding some bird species and farmers providing feed to livestock. 

For most residents, enforcement will begin with a warning.

First-time violators are given 48 hours to remove food sources that are attracting wildlife, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Those who receive three citations within a 12-month period, or who continue feeding wildlife for more than 30 days after being ordered to stop, could face misdemeanor charges.

The prospect of jail time prompted some laughter among county officials when the measure was discussed.

'What are you in for?' County Council member Keegan Garrity joked during discussions about the ordinance at a recent meeting. 'Feeding turkeys.'

Still, county leaders stressed that the goal is not to criminalize residents.

Dane Murray, Cache County's interim attorney, told county officials that authorities would focus on education and warnings before pursuing harsher penalties.

'I don't aim to criminalize generally really good, upstanding citizens,' Murray said. 

Wildlife officials said feeding turkeys can create a range of problems beyond property damage. 

Animals that are regularly fed by humans often lose their natural fear of people and become increasingly dependent on food sources found in neighborhoods, according to Faith Jolley, a spokeswoman for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Large, concentrated flocks can also increase the spread of disease and create public safety concerns when birds gather near roads and homes, Jolley said. 

Earlier this year, the agency announced that four nuisance turkeys had been released into the Gordon Creek Wildlife Management Area near Price, where officials hoped they would settle permanently.

Wild turkeys can weigh up to 25 pounds, stand 4ft tall and are capable of damaging landscaping, scratching vehicles and stripping fruit trees, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Cache County Council members for further comment.