Wild Turkey Management
In the Texas Panhandle
Distribution
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) has been recorded in all of Texas Panhandle
counties except Castro, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Parmer, Sherman, and Swisher.
Two subspecies of Wild Turkey have original ranges in West Texas: Rio Grande
Turkey (M. g. intermedia) and Merriam's Turkey (M. g. merriami). The Rio Grande
Turkey occupied the eastern and central portion of the Texas Panhandle north
to the Canadian River bottoms; whereas Merriam's Turkey occurred along the
Canadian River possibly as far east as Carson County, Texas. History of Wild
Turkey in the Texas Panhandle is one of abundance, followed by eradication
and reintroduction. The eastern and southeastern portions of the Northern
Rolling Plains contain some of the highest populations of Rio Grande Turkeys
in Texas and the United States. Populations of this upland game bird increased
considerably during the 1970s and 1980s following restocking efforts by TPW,
natural reproduction, and range expansion. Numbers of Rio Grande turkeys vary
considerable throughout the region and fluctuate annually, depending on favorable
rainfall during the nesting period and overall habitat conditions. During
prolonged periods of drought, numbers may decline and then rebound during
favorable years. Rio Grande turkeys require tall trees for roosting and good
ground vegetation, brush, and grasses for nesting and survival of young (poults).
Riparian zones along streams and rivers of the region provide important habitat
for this species for roosting, nesting, water, food production, and cover.
Winter roosts are commonly found along these drainages but turkeys may also
roost on hillsides with tall oak trees and other native tree species. During
the nesting period, hens disperse from their winter range to nest and may
travel considerable distances. Young reach adult size by early fall. Winter
habitat is the backbone of the birds' annual range. Turkeys normally spend
about six months (October to March) in winter habitat, which must provide
a reliable and adequate food supply, plus cover during bad weather
Description
Turkeys are a very large, small-headed, round-winged, long-tailed, ground-dwelling
bird, with an unfeathered bluish head and reddish throat, dark breast, belly
and upper back iridescent bronze, green wings, barred primaries, and a dark,
fan-shaped tail with a brown or buff band at the tip. The adult male has a
large head with wattle at throat, caruncled forehead, and projection behind
the bill and more iridescent plumage. Clutch Size ranges from ~ 8 to 15 eggs,
length of incubation ranges from ~ 27 to 28 days, number of days to fledge
ranges from ~ 6 to 10, and average number of broods is 1, unless the nest
is destroyed.
Reproduction
Wild Turkey usually nest in a shallow depression on the ground lined with
leaves and gasses that is well concealed in thick shrugs or woodlands, and
within ~ 1/4 mi of available water. At night, they roost in large trees, particularly
cottonwood. In some areas turkeys will use artificial roost structures. Annual
reproductive success in measured annually by District Wildlife Biologists
by use of hen-poult surveys conducted during late summer.
Food
A comprehensive habitat management plan for turkeys starts by developing the
proper combinations of food, cover, and water that produce maximum numbers
of birds compatible with other land use practices. In the habitat, food must
be in proper association with cover and water. Seasonal abundance or scarcities
of acceptable and preferred food bring about changes in both habits and habitats
of wild turkeys. Birds shift their range in response to scarcity of food.
Daily movements are largely determined by activity associated with searching
for food. Turkey forage mostly on the ground and there diet varies highly
throughout the year, which may include insects, invertebrates (worms, snails,
spiders, arthropods) mast (acorns, nuts, fruits), seeds from grasses and forbs,
and greens. They will use waste grain from corplands if adjacent to woodlands.
Fluctuations in the supply of mast (acorns), fruit, and seeds usually are
not critical to turkeys. Low production in one type usually coincides with
high production in another. Oaks produce maximum seed crops during different
periods, so that in effect their production periods alternate and insure a
mast supply. Wild grapes and other fruiting species appear to have heaviest
crops every other season and more nearly follow a regular cyclic pattern.
Crops such as soybeans, cowpeas, pea, buckwheat, sorghums, corn, and cultivated
millets are foods that are highly sought after by turkey. Turkeys depend heavily
upon foods produced in wooded habitat during much of the year. At other times,
particularly during summer, birds may be found in fields and pastures where
insects, grass seeds, and berries are abundant. As such, their feeding habits
may place them in direct competition with both domestic and wild animals for
their preferred food. Large populations of deer, rodents, and domestic livestock
can seriously deplete normal turkey food supplies. Mast may be devoured by
the large animals almost as fast as it falls from the trees, while the rodents
feed both in the trees and on the ground. Other kinds of wildlife probably
do not seriously deplete food when it is in normal or abundant supply.
General Foods - Prime turkey foods fit into a few general categories: mast (oaks and acorns); fruits (grape, persimmon, juniper); seeds (native grasses, corn, oats, weeds); and greens (grass and grass-like plants as well as selected annual and perennial forbs). Variety is not only in the plant species, but also in the plant parts consumed (i.e., fruits, seeds, seed-heads, roots, tubers, bulbs, stems, buds, leaves, flowers, pods, and capsules).
Spring and Summer Foods - Acorns are very important throughout the year, but
grass leaves show an increased importance during the spring. Greenleaf material
and other plant parts are taken, but corn as a crop residue is important when
snows disappear. Turkey foods in order of importance are: grass leaves, crabgrass
seeds (late summer and fall), greenleaf material, berries, grasshoppers and
beetles, acorns (early spring), panic grass seeds.
Fall and Winter Foods - The fall and winter diet of Wild Turkey is largely
governed by food availability in localized habitats. Generally, the more important
foods are: winter wheat, crabgrass seeds (fall), acorns (winter), corn (as
residue), panic grass seeds, wild grape, greenleaf material, grasshoppers
(fall).
Food Plots - Annual grain food plots for turkeys only supplement natural food
supplies and are no substitute for quality management of native wildlife habitat;
however, in times of extremely bad weather or during drastic shortages of
natural foods, food plots may be useful. Of all cereal grains used in food
plots, oats and winter wheat appear to be most successful. A more permanent
one acre food plot (i.e., green browse plot) can be established in brush or
woodland clearings by applying recommended amounts of limestone and fertilizer
and then seeding in the fall with ½ bushel of winter wheat and 2 lbs
of orchard grass. Overseed ½ half of the acre plot in the fall or winter
with 2 lbs. Of clover; overseed the ½ acre with 10 lbs. Of lespedeza.
Such plantings should provide attractive, nutrituous food for turkeys, quail,
deer, and other wildlife for 3 to 5 yrs without further treatment. Apply no
more than 20 lbs/acre of nitrogen plant food to avoid excessive vegetative
growth.
Idle Fields - Abandoned fields surrounded by brush or woodland an essential
part of the home range of turkey. Attempts should be made to keep old fields
open and in a grass-legume mixture if possible. Mowing or moderate grazing
improves the quality of these fields.
Crop Residues - Corn fields attract turkeys during periods of severe weather
in late winter and early spring when food supplies are short. A few rows of
corn left standing next to woodland or brush land will insure a food supply
during winter. If it does not occur naturally, a portion of the corn left
standing should be knocked down for good use by turkeys.
Cover
In the Texas Panhandle, Wild Turkey prefer open, mature native wood and brush
lands, and healthy riparian corridors providing the understory is not too
dense or lush. Because turkey prefer thin stands of vegetation, openings permit
growth of forage and fruit-producing species for several years after woodlands
are cut. Additionally, an open understory provides a psychological condition
necessary for primary turkey range. This stand condition also provides unique
litter that is productive of insects and herbaceous forage critical to turkeys.
Wild turkey exhibit a decrease in size of populations associated with deterioration
of these habitats. Deterioration of habitat has resulted primarily from changed
land uses, exclusion of fire, and encroachment of exotic species, which appear
unattractive to turkeys. Extensive eastern red cedar invasion may reduces
the carrying capacity of a tract by as much as 50%. Good cover for turkey
should consist of a significant component of the vegetation in young and mature
woodland and trees, especially near perennial streams and along riparian corridors.
Trees and shrubs should be planted were cover is sparse. Livestock grazing
should be restricted or conducted during the winter so as to leave thick herbaceous
cover for nesting. Spring grazing can be detrimental to nesting habitat, especially
in riparian areas
Water
Wild Turkeys require water and are usually not found in areas where water
is lacking. Construction of 1 small pond every sq. mi or preferably every
quarter section, where there is no permanent water will improve habitat for
upland game. Water development may include catchment ponds, guzzlers, windmills,
and spring or seep enhancement. Wild Turkey generally do not travel > ½
mi for water. Maintaining healthy riparian corridors with mature nest trees,
and good cottonwood, willow, and hackberry regeneration free of the degrading
effects of carful livestock grazing is critical to maintaining quality turkey
habitat and long-term viability of turkey populations in the Texas Panhandle
Management Recommendations
- To meet year-round food requirements, quality habitat for turkey should include clearings where insects can be captured; and 10% of the total riparian/woodland area should be maintained in scattered openings to provide optimum foraging.
- Brush chop or disk small areas to maintain some perennial forbs, grasses, and shrubs.
- Use controlled/prescribed burns every 3 to 5 yrs in shrub habitats.
- Clear-cut 10 to 20 acres in large expanses of young and mature woodland or trees.
- Plant several perennial food plots (1-10 acre fields) to native grasses and legumes in large expanses of shrubs and young woodlands where food is limiting.
- Plant native mast crop trees.
- Eliminate fall tillage of grain crops, especially adjacent to woodlands.
- Leave small areas of grain crops unharvested.
- Livestock grazing should leave some forbs and grasses available for food, particularly in riparian areas. This may require development of livestock watering facilities on adjacent uplands to discourage congregation in and overuse of these areas.
Hunting
There are spring and fall hunting seasons for Rio Grande Turkey in most counties
of the Texas Panhandle. Hunting seasons and daily bag limits are set by TPW
Commission. Refer to Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual (2002 - 2003)
for information on hunting zones, seasons, and bag limits. Public turkey hunting
opportunities also are available in the Texas Panhandle at the Matador and
Gene Howe wildlife management areas.
For further information click here to locate a Wildlife Biologist in your county.