TURKEYS

TURKEYS.

Photo courtesy: Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

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:

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