ADJUSTMENT BY TRANSPLANTED WILD TURKEYS TO AN OHIO FARMLAND AREA
Abstract: The eastern wild turkey (Meleaqris gallopavo silvestris), once common throughout Ohio, now occurs in large numbers only in the southeastern Hill Country. Recent successes of introductions of wild turkeys into presumed marginal habitat prompted a similar release in west‐central Ohio, where...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1985-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1985.tb00147.x |
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| Summary: | Abstract: The eastern wild turkey (Meleaqris gallopavo silvestris), once common throughout Ohio, now occurs in large numbers only in the southeastern Hill Country. Recent successes of introductions of wild turkeys into presumed marginal habitat prompted a similar release in west‐central Ohio, where forest cover is generally less than 30%. In this study, the survival, reproduction, habitat use, and movements of 25 turkeys fitted with radio transmitters were monitored for 16 months in 1983 and 1984. Nineteen birds with transmitters died from predation (5), probable transmitter‐harness effects (5), and unknown causes (9). Three of 8 nesting hens produced at least 25 poults in 1983, and 2 monitored hens produced at least 9 poults in 1984. Ten poults survived to winter flocking in 1983. Home ranges for all birds were larger in spring and fall than in summer and winter. The turkeys showed a preference for wooded cover, but no preference for the woodland interiors. They generally avoided agricultural land, especially large, open tracts, bus fed in corn fields adjacent to woods in winter. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-5540 |