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Rio Grande Wild Turkey Biology & Management Andy James, Extension Assistant September 2014 Overview • • • • Introduction Life History Biology Management Introduction • History – In the late 1800s, hunting greatly reduced RGWT numbers. – By 1920, much of the population was extirpated over its original range. – Approximately 100,000 birds left in Texas, primarily in the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains. Introduction • History – Through harvest restrictions and restoration efforts, RGWT rebounded across Texas and U.S. – Restoration primarily by trapping and transplanting birds. – Turkeys in the Edwards Plateau were not immune to population declines as numbers have been decreasing since the 1970s. Possible Reasons for Decrease • • • • Reproductive issues Land fragmentation Increase in brush canopy Decrease in vegetative cover Feathers • 5,000-6,000 feathers • 4 molts • Different coloration between males and females Physical Characteristics • Males • Larger • 17-21 lbs • Females • Smaller • 8-11 lbs Life History–Physical Characteristics Life History–Physical Characteristics Female Male Life History–Physical Characteristics Adult Jake Life History–Physical Characteristics Poults – Weight - a few ounces – natal down Life History–Physical Characteristics Poults – Down replaced by 14 days Movement • Turkeys move up to 2 mi/hr in search of food • Direction is random, but driven by food availability • Spring – bred hens move independently from nonbred hens • Summer – gobblers move separate from juvenile males and non-breeding females • Late-summer – brood flocks form • Winter - males join flock Movement • From winter roosts, turkeys move ~ 2 mi searching for food • In spring, search for nesting and brooding cover – Usually within 2 miles of roost – Some have been documented moving up to 27 miles Pre-Nesting • Strutting display on gobbling grounds • Copulation • Nest sites – Grass clumps – Brush piles • Shallow depression • Lays 8-16 eggs Nesting • • • • Nesting Eggs cream / tan with speckles Incubation begins when last egg is laid Lays 8-16 eggs Incubation takes ~ 28 days Nesting • Edwards Plateau – In grass ~18 inches tall • Rolling Plains – Vegetation near roadways – Low brush important for poults Nesting • Reproduction and recruitment are highly important – Percent hens nesting and re-nesting – Nest success (clutch hatched out) – Poult survival Nesting Reproductive success dependant on – Rainfall • Cumulative over the year not individual rain events • Winter rainfall better predictor than spring rains – Range condition – Body condition of individual hens Survival Rolling Plans – Males; juvenile 59%; adult males 36% • Most mortality in the spring Predation Effects on Nests Predation Effects on Nests • Raccoon and grey foxes were the most common nest predators • Sometimes more than 1 predator depredates a nest • Occasionally a hen will resume nesting if some eggs remain Management Considerations and Planning • Outlines a plan of action to enhance wildlife and habitat resources Usable Space • Diversity is essential Benefits of Prescribed Burning RGWTs can benefit from prescribed burning – best in the fall and winter – stimulates forbs, which produce seeds and green foliage – beneficial for invertebrates Prescribed Burning Caution: spring and early summer might destroy nests and kill poults Turkey Diets RGWTs have broad diets – – – – – Green foliage Seeds from grasses and forbs Mast Animal matter Content varies seasonally Shallow Disking • • • • • Disk in January - March Plow, 2-4 inches deep to break soil Narrow strips ~ 20 ft wide Place close to cover Disk strips in alternate years Roosting Trees Large trees with many horizontal branches and broad crowns – – – – – Pecan Cottonwood Oaks Hackberry Elm Roosting Trees Roost trees should be protected from heavy brush encroachment Roosting Trees • If brush treatments are required, consider – Timing of treatment • Late spring or early summer; when leaving winter roosts • Midday while turkeys are foraging • Avoid roost disturbance; quickly get in & get out – Density of encroaching brush species – Types of treatment • Mechanical • Chemical • Stem treatment Roosting Trees • Mechanical treatment – Use depends on stem density – Pro: instant gratification to brush person – Pro: no chance of killing roost tree with herbicide – Con: noisy and invasive – Con: does not kill most brush species • Recommend taking only a small percentage of brush and gauge turkey response Roosting Trees • Chemical Treatments – basal stem – Pro: quiet as compared to mechanical treatment – Pro: precisely control which plants to kill – Pro: brush dies over 12-18 months; mimics natural plant mortality – Con: if tebuthiuron, or hexazinone are used it WILL KILL the roost tree • Recommend 15-25% mix of triclopyr in diesel for selective brush treatment Roosting Trees • Chemical Treatments – cut-stump – Pro: quiet as compared to mechanical treatment – Pro: precisely control which plants to kill – Pro: instant gratification given top removal – Con: if tebuthiuron, or hexazinone are used it WILL KILL the roost tree • Recommend 20-25% mix of triclopyr in diesel for selective brush treatment – Apply immediately to fresh cut stump Roosting Cover When natural roosts do not exist or are limited - Artificial sites can be built - Set horizontal boards between two poles - Approximately 20 ft high - Leaving 3 feet between the boards For more information http://agrilifebookstore.org/ AgriLife Bookstore