Effects of supplemental stocking on eastern wild turkey restoration in the Post Oak Savannah of Texas

Abstract

A total of 107 radio-marked eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris 11 v ) was initially or supplementally released from 1994-96 on 5 different study areas to determine the effectiveness of supplemental stocking in the Post Oak Savannah of Texas. An attempt to locate birds at least twice a week with radio-telemetry was made in order to collect survival, reproductive, range, and movement data. Additionally, individuals were considered to associate when located within 250 m from each other. Percent associations of birds were plotted over time and frequency of associations (FA) were calculated for I January or time of release until 31 March. Comparisons were made between supplemental, initial, and resident birds, between sexes and between years whenever possible. Supplemental female survivorship was significantly (P = 0.02) higher than initial female survivorship over the first 180 days after release while supplemental male survivorship was not significantly (E = 0.07) higher than initial male survivorship. No population recruitment was detected during this study. No significant (P > 0.05) differences in movements or ranges were detected between 1995 resident and supplemental males or between 1996 resident and supplemental females. Higher FA, similar percent association trends, and similar ranges and movements of supplemental and resident birds suggested behavioral learning of supplemental birds and a faster adjustment to the release area.