TURKEYS - Revision history

Randylyon at 17:07, 30 October 2026

2026-10-30T17:07:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:07, 30 October 2026
Line 38:		Line 38:
	Nest success: 40-60%.		Nest success: 40-60%.

	~~Wild~~ turkeys numbered in the millions ~~nationwide~~ when the first settlers landed at Plymouth Rock and provided ~~a readily available source of food~~ for the table and the market. Like much ~~of our~~ native wildlife, turkey populations were unable to withstand uncontrolled hunting pressures ~~during European settlement~~. A ~~combination of~~ year around ~~indiscriminate~~ hunting of all ages and sexes, and clearing of forested habitats ~~to create agricultural lands all~~ led to the ~~extirpation~~ of wild turkey flocks from their historical range north of the Ohio River and from most areas in the South and East. By 1920, approximately 250,000 eastern wild turkeys remained in the United States~~, occupying just 12% of their former range~~. Only 8 states ~~still had a turkey hunting season,~~ most in the mountainous terrain of the southeastern United States. Turkeys were virtually ~~extirpated~~ from ~~Ioway~~ 1900; the last verified sighting was made in Lucas County in 1910.		Nationwide wild turkeys numbered in the millions when the first settlers landed at Plymouth Rock. The bird and provided ood for the table and the market. Like much native wildlife, turkey populations were unable to withstand uncontrolled hunting pressures. A year-around hunting of all ages and sexes and clearing of forested habitats led to the extermination of wild turkey flocks from their historical range north of the Ohio River and from most areas in the South and East. By 1920, approximately 250,000 eastern wild turkeys remained in the United States. Only 8 states most in the mountainous terrain of the southeastern United States still had a turkey hunting season. Turkeys were virtually removed from Iowa by 1900; the last verified sighting was made in Lucas County in 1910.

	n the early 20th century, trends which ~~lead~~ to the		In the early 20th century, trends which led to the demise of turkey flocks began to be reversed. Moststates formed conservation agencies (counterparts
	demise of turkey flocks began to be reversed. ~~Most~~		to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) and gave protection to vanishing wildlife. At the same time, unproductive farmlands were abandoned as industrial jobs in growing cities became more attractive. Purchase of state and national forests, reduction in cattle grazing on public forest lands, and wildlife management were factors which led to the development of new turkey habitats in regions where no turkeys existed to populate them.
	~~states~~ formed conservation agencies (counterparts
	to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) and
	gave protection to vanishing wildlife. At the same
	time, unproductive farmlands were abandoned as
	industrial jobs in growing cities became more
	attractive. Purchase of state and national forests,
	reduction in cattle grazing on public forest lands,
	and wildlife management were factors which led to
	the development of new turkey habitats in regions
	where no turkeys existed to populate them.

	Most states began turkey restoration programs in		Most states began turkey restoration programs in

Randylyon at 17:00, 30 October 2026

2026-10-30T17:00:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:00, 30 October 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
			Research only beginning.

	TURKEYS.		TURKEYS.
	Biological Facts:		Biological Facts:

Randylyon: Created page with "TURKEYS. Biological Facts: Weight: males 17-30 lbs; females 8-12 lbs. Length: males 42-48 inches; females 32-38 inches. Flight and ground speed: Max. ground speed: 25 mph; max. flight speed 55 mph. Habitat: woodland habitats mixed with agricultural fields. Foods: waste grains, insects, wild fruits, and tree nuts. Life expectancy: females 57%, males 35%. Mating: polygamous, hens typically mate with dominant male. Nesting period: April-June. Nests: usually shallow..."

2026-10-30T16:59:30Z

Created page with "TURKEYS. Biological Facts: Weight: males 17-30 lbs; females 8-12 lbs. Length: males 42-48 inches; females 32-38 inches. Flight and ground speed: Max. ground speed: 25 mph; max. flight speed 55 mph. Habitat: woodland habitats mixed with agricultural fields. Foods: waste grains, insects, wild fruits, and tree nuts. Life expectancy: females 57%, males 35%. Mating: polygamous, hens typically mate with dominant male. Nesting period: April-June. Nests: usually shallow..."

New page

TURKEYS.
Biological Facts:
Weight: males 17-30 lbs; females 8-12 lbs.

Length: males 42-48 inches; females 32-38 inches.

Flight and ground speed: Max. ground speed: 25
mph; max. flight speed 55 mph.

Habitat: woodland habitats mixed with agricultural
fields.

Foods: waste grains, insects, wild fruits, and tree
nuts.

Life expectancy: females 57%, males 35%.
Mating: polygamous, hens typically mate with
dominant male.

Nesting period: April-June.

Nests: usually shallow depressions in the ground.

Clutch size: Avg. 11 eggs (range 6-18)

Eggs: Tan of buffy white, evenly marked with small
reddish spots; ovate (1 3/4" x 2 1/2").

Incubation: 28 days.

Young: precoccial; leave nest immediately and can
fly to roost in trees at 2 weeks.

Number broods per year: 1; 30-60% will renest.

Nest success: 40-60%.

Wild turkeys numbered in the millions nationwide when the first settlers landed at Plymouth Rock and provided a readily available source of food for the table and the market. Like much of our native wildlife, turkey populations were unable to withstand uncontrolled hunting pressures during European settlement. A combination of year around indiscriminate hunting of all ages and sexes, and clearing of forested habitats to create agricultural lands all led to the extirpation of wild turkey flocks from their historical range north of the Ohio River and from most areas in the South and East. By 1920, approximately 250,000 eastern wild turkeys remained in the United States, occupying just 12% of their former range. Only 8 states still had a turkey hunting season, most in the mountainous terrain of the southeastern United States. Turkeys were virtually extirpated from Ioway 1900; the last verified sighting was made in Lucas County in 1910.

n the early 20th century, trends which lead to the
demise of turkey flocks began to be reversed. Most
states formed conservation agencies (counterparts
to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) and
gave protection to vanishing wildlife. At the same
time, unproductive farmlands were abandoned as
industrial jobs in growing cities became more
attractive. Purchase of state and national forests,
reduction in cattle grazing on public forest lands,
and wildlife management were factors which led to
the development of new turkey habitats in regions
where no turkeys existed to populate them.

Most states began turkey restoration programs in
the 1920s, first using pen-raised turkeys to produce
large numbers of young birds which were released
in the wild. These efforts were universally
unsuccessful because pen-raised birds had lost
their wary instincts which allowed truly wild
turkeys to survive in their natural environment. In
spite of expenditures of millions of dollars over
several decades, no free-ranging turkey

n the early 20th century, trends which lead to the
demise of turkey flocks began to be reversed. Most
states formed conservation agencies (counterparts
to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) and
gave protection to vanishing wildlife. At the same
time, unproductive farmlands were abandoned as
industrial jobs in growing cities became more
attractive. Purchase of state and national forests,
reduction in cattle grazing on public forest lands,
and wildlife management were factors which led to
the development of new turkey habitats in regions
where no turkeys existed to populate them.
Most states began turkey restoration programs in
the 1920s, first using pen-raised turkeys to produce
large numbers of young birds which were released
in the wild. These efforts were universally
unsuccessful because pen-raised birds had lost
their wary instincts which allowed truly wild
turkeys to survive in their natural environment. In
spite of expenditures of millions of dollars over
several decades, no free-ranging turkey
populations were produced. Pen-raised turkeys
populations were produced. Pen-raised turkeys