Dispersal, reproduction, mortality and habitat utilization of restocked Eastern turkeys in East Texas

Abstract

Restocked Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) were studied on 2 different areas in East Texas from February 1979 through May 1980. The major emphasis was to provide information on movement, reproduction, and mortality as it relates to a turkey restocking effort. Habitat use of turkeys was also studied. Sixty-five turkeys were monitored using radio telemetry. The restocked turkeys generally centered their activity within 3 km of the release site. A few birds traveled distances exceeding 5 km from the release site, but the majority returned to the vicinity of the release site. The mean maximum dispersal from release was 4.4 km. Hens had the greatest mean maximum dispersal. It required approximately 7 months before turkeys obtained their maximum dispersal from release. Over study areas, the mean population dispersal area for 90% of the birds was 8,328 ha. Habitat and a resident population may have had a slight influence on the population dispersal area. The documented mortality for 16 months was 28%. Most of the mortality occurred during the first 6 months after release. There were no major differences in incubation attempts between resident and newly stocked birds, but resident birds were about 3 times more successful in raising poults than those recently stocked. Extended hen movement following a successful nesting may have been part of the cause for the low poult production during the first season. The peak egg-laying period was in early April. Pine hardwood and openings appeared to be preferred over the pine types by the birds on Brushy Creek study area. Within 2 weeks after stands were prescribed burned, turkeys indicated a preference for the new burns. More than 40% of all fixes were in burned stands approximately 6 weeks after the burn. The immediate effects of selective harvesting pine stands did not appear detrimental to turkeys.