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TURKEYS: Difference between revisions

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Research only beginning.
TURKEYS. [[File:turkeys.png|450px|thumb|right| Photo courtesy: Iowa Department of Natural Resources.]]
[[File:stroll.jpeg|450px|thumb|right| Strolling along Shiras Avenue]]


TURKEYS.
Biological Facts:
Biological Facts:
Weight: males 17-30 lbs; females 8-12 lbs.
Weight: males 17-30 lbs; females 8-12 lbs.
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 provided food and the market. Turkey populations were unable to withstand uncontrolled hunting pressures. Year-around hunting and the clearing of forested habitats led to the removal of wild turkey flocks from their historical range north of the Ohio River and from most areas in the South and East. By 1920, an estimated 250,000 eastern wild turkeys remained in the United States. Only 8 states mainly 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 had led to the demise of turkey flocks began to be reversed. Most states formed conservation agencies like the Iowa Department of Natural Resources gave protection to vanishing wildlife. Unproductive farmlands were abandoned as industrial jobs became more attractive. Purchase of state and national forests, reduction in cattle grazing on public forest lands, and wildlife management led to the growth of new turkey habitats in areas where no turkeys existed.
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
In the 1920s, states began turkey restoration programs. Pen-raised turkeys in large numbers were released. These efforts were generally unsuccessful. Pen-raised birds did not have the instincts to survive in their natural environment. Despite spending millions of dollars over several decades no free-ranging turkey populations existed in the early 20th century.
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
In Iowa, an aggressive restoration program using wild trapped turkeys from Missouri and Shimek State Forest (Lee County) and Stephens State Forest (Lucas County), resulted in transplanting 3,523 Eastern wild turkeys to 86 different counties at 260 sites between 1965 and 2001. Turkeys from southern Iowa were originally introduced from Missouri in the mid 1960s. This restoration program was paid for by the Iowa sportsman through revenues from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and an excise tax on the sale of arms and ammunition. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) also aided Iowa in the
demise of turkey flocks began to be reversed. Most
restoration efforts.  
states formed conservation agencies (counterparts
 
to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) and
By 1980 Eastern turkeys adapted so well to habitat conditions in Iowa that the DNR decided to start trading turkeys for other extirpated wildlife. From 1980-2001, 7,501 Iowa turkeys have been traded for 356 prairie chickens, 596 ruffed grouse, over 180 river otters, over 80 sharp-tailed grouse, and over 3.2 million dollars to purchase Iowa habitat with 11 states and 1 Canadian province.
gave protection to vanishing wildlife. At the same
 
time, unproductive farmlands were abandoned as
Turkeys roost at night in trees year around, except for hens sitting on a nest. Any tree larger than 4 inches in diameter may serve as a roost tree, but larger, mature trees are most often used. Eastern turkeys shift their nest sites almost daily, seldom roosting in the same tree two nights in succession. Certain areas of their home range may be used more heavily than other locations.
industrial jobs in growing cities became more
 
attractive. Purchase of state and national forests,
In Iowa, the abundance of food and nesting areas in non-forested habitats (corn fields, pastures, hayfields, restored native grasses) have allowed turkeys to survive in areas where forests are limited. In traditional turkey range, minimum timber requirements of 10,000 continuous acres of mature forests are commonly thought to be necessary for wild turkeys. Research indicates that areas with a 50:50 ratio of forest with properly managed non-forested habitats is ideal turkey range. A minimum of 1,000 acres of timber is ideal to allow a turkey population to thrive.
reduction in cattle grazing on public forest lands,
 
and wildlife management were factors which led to
Large forest tracts provide typical turkey habitat. Good populations normally average about 10 turkeys per square mile of forest over much of eastern turkey
the development of new turkey habitats in regions
range. In agricultural states like Iowa, the presence of abundant food contributes to densities at least twice this size--reach 40-60 turkeys per square mile in the best habitats. Showing their ability to adapt, however, turkeys have been found in small 2-3 acre woodlots.  
where no turkeys existed to populate them.
 
Most states began turkey restoration programs in
Within the city of Dubuque, small flocks of turkey numbering ten of less have regularly been seen along Shiras Avenue and within [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they have observed from a distance hunting for food within easy escape into the forests.
the 1920s, first using pen-raised turkeys to produce
 
large numbers of young birds which were released
 
in the wild. These efforts were universally
Source:
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
Iowa DNR Wild Turkey Brochure. https://www.iowadnr.gov/media/6998/download?inline
several decades, no free-ranging turkey
 
populations were produced. Pen-raised turkeys
[[Category: Birds]]
populations were produced. Pen-raised turkeys

Latest revision as of 18:23, 31 October 2026

TURKEYS.

Photo courtesy: Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Strolling along Shiras Avenue

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%.

Nationwide wild turkeys numbered in the millions when the first settlers landed at Plymouth Rock. The bird provided food and the market. Turkey populations were unable to withstand uncontrolled hunting pressures. Year-around hunting and the clearing of forested habitats led to the removal of wild turkey flocks from their historical range north of the Ohio River and from most areas in the South and East. By 1920, an estimated 250,000 eastern wild turkeys remained in the United States. Only 8 states mainly 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.

In the early 20th century, trends which had led to the demise of turkey flocks began to be reversed. Most states formed conservation agencies like the Iowa Department of Natural Resources gave protection to vanishing wildlife. Unproductive farmlands were abandoned as industrial jobs became more attractive. Purchase of state and national forests, reduction in cattle grazing on public forest lands, and wildlife management led to the growth of new turkey habitats in areas where no turkeys existed.

In the 1920s, states began turkey restoration programs. Pen-raised turkeys in large numbers were released. These efforts were generally unsuccessful. Pen-raised birds did not have the instincts to survive in their natural environment. Despite spending millions of dollars over several decades no free-ranging turkey populations existed in the early 20th century.

In Iowa, an aggressive restoration program using wild trapped turkeys from Missouri and Shimek State Forest (Lee County) and Stephens State Forest (Lucas County), resulted in transplanting 3,523 Eastern wild turkeys to 86 different counties at 260 sites between 1965 and 2001. Turkeys from southern Iowa were originally introduced from Missouri in the mid 1960s. This restoration program was paid for by the Iowa sportsman through revenues from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and an excise tax on the sale of arms and ammunition. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) also aided Iowa in the restoration efforts.

By 1980 Eastern turkeys adapted so well to habitat conditions in Iowa that the DNR decided to start trading turkeys for other extirpated wildlife. From 1980-2001, 7,501 Iowa turkeys have been traded for 356 prairie chickens, 596 ruffed grouse, over 180 river otters, over 80 sharp-tailed grouse, and over 3.2 million dollars to purchase Iowa habitat with 11 states and 1 Canadian province.

Turkeys roost at night in trees year around, except for hens sitting on a nest. Any tree larger than 4 inches in diameter may serve as a roost tree, but larger, mature trees are most often used. Eastern turkeys shift their nest sites almost daily, seldom roosting in the same tree two nights in succession. Certain areas of their home range may be used more heavily than other locations.

In Iowa, the abundance of food and nesting areas in non-forested habitats (corn fields, pastures, hayfields, restored native grasses) have allowed turkeys to survive in areas where forests are limited. In traditional turkey range, minimum timber requirements of 10,000 continuous acres of mature forests are commonly thought to be necessary for wild turkeys. Research indicates that areas with a 50:50 ratio of forest with properly managed non-forested habitats is ideal turkey range. A minimum of 1,000 acres of timber is ideal to allow a turkey population to thrive.

Large forest tracts provide typical turkey habitat. Good populations normally average about 10 turkeys per square mile of forest over much of eastern turkey range. In agricultural states like Iowa, the presence of abundant food contributes to densities at least twice this size--reach 40-60 turkeys per square mile in the best habitats. Showing their ability to adapt, however, turkeys have been found in small 2-3 acre woodlots.

Within the city of Dubuque, small flocks of turkey numbering ten of less have regularly been seen along Shiras Avenue and within LINWOOD CEMETERY where they have observed from a distance hunting for food within easy escape into the forests.


Source:

---

Iowa DNR Wild Turkey Brochure. https://www.iowadnr.gov/media/6998/download?inline

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