SURVIVAL OF WILD TURKEY GOBBLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN
Abstract: Information on survival, cause‐specific mortality, and harvest rates in relation to hunter effort for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) gobblers in the Upper Midwest is limited. As wild turkey populations and demand for turkey hunting increase in the Upper Midwest, this information is esse...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1995-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00210.x |
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| Summary: | Abstract: Information on survival, cause‐specific mortality, and harvest rates in relation to hunter effort for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) gobblers in the Upper Midwest is limited. As wild turkey populations and demand for turkey hunting increase in the Upper Midwest, this information is essential for optimizing use of the wild turkey resource and refining harvest strategies. To evaluate effects of relatively high hunter effort on gobbler survival, 121 gobblers were radio‐marked in experimental Zone 1A during 1991‐93, where cumulative hunter effort averaged 7.2 and 3.6 hunters/km2 of woodland during spring and fall hunts, respectively. Annual and seasonal survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan‐Meier product‐limit method. Annual survival rates averaged 0.507 (SE = 0.005) and were similar (P = 0.530‐0.561) among years. Survival during the spring hunt period (SHP) was significantly lower (P < 0.006) than survival during all other seasonal periods each year and averaged 0.642 (SE= 0.014). Annual and SHP survival rates were similar (P > 0.05) between age classes. Registered turkey harvest averaged 1.3 and 0.7 birds/km2 of woodland during spring and fall hunts, respectively. No radio‐marked gobblers were harvested during either‐sex fall hunts. Results of this study provide new information regarding the significance of spring harvests for gobbler survival, given a known level of hunter effort. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-5540 |