Though there is not necessarily anythng wrong with farm raised turkey, it cannot compare to a wild turkey that has been harvested and properly cooked. Wild turkey description, habitat, image, diet, and. Through conservation efforts over the past century, with funds derived from the pittmanrobertson act, and thanks to sportsmen and women, there are approximately 6. The wild turkey is the only type of poultry native to north america and is the ancestor of the domesticated turkey. One of the best things about turkey season is the opportunity to harvest a wild turkey and get some delicious turkey meat. Wild turkeys mate from april to may, depending on the region. Before learning about specific habitat management practices, it is important to build basic knowledge about turkey biology, population dynamics and habitat needs. Turkey biology and behavior archives turkey and turkey. A wild turkey is the healthiest option to fill the carving board on your thanksgiving dinner table. This long awaited book is the product of a joint effort by the national wild turkey federation nwtf and the usda forest service usfs. Through conservation efforts over the years, turkey. A chronicle of wild turkey hunting stories by zastrow, berdette elaine and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The plan covers wild turkey release, population management, human interactions and habitat. The wild turkey is a large, heavy bird that looks quite similar to the domestic turkey. However, harvesting a turkey is only the first step. The oldest known wild turkey lived at least years. You are visiting this site it is because of an interest in turkey hunting andor turkey management. A flock may utilize a home range of more than acres. The record for a leg banded turkey in pennsylvania in the wild is at least 8 years old. Back in the 1940s scientists discovered that a mature wild turkeys body is covered with nearly 6,000 feathers. The standard reference for all subspecieseastern, goulds, merriams, florida and rio grandethe wild turkey summarizes the new technologies and studies leading to better understanding and management.
University of maryland extensions woodland wildlife webinar series march 7, 20 wild turkey biology and management in maryland, presented by bob long, wild turkey and upland game bird. Wild turkey are amazing animals that garner a lot of attention from both hunters and nonhunters, so you are not alone in your desire to manage for this majestic upland game bird. Latham turpin, roger introduction online at alibris. Most north american kids learn turkey identification early, by tracing outlines of their hands to make thanksgiving cards. Mnr s mandate is to provide leadership and oversight in the management of ontarios fish and. The above picture of a strutting eastern wild turkey is a sight that many hunters look forward to seeing every spring here in the panhandle of florida.
Extensive, new information on all aspects of wild turkey ecology and management. Wild turkey biology and management in maryland youtube. Long interviews and impressive photos of these hunters document their devoted and adventurous quest for the united states super slam, first named by the national wild turkey federation in 2011. Courting males puff themselves into feathery balls and fill the air with exuberant gobbling. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Wild turkey form predominantly single gender flocks which can range in size from 5 to 50 individuals. Collecting turkey hunting books dave richey outdoors. Feathers come in all shapes and sizes and serve many functionsto keep birds warm and dry, to help them fly, to let them display, etc.
The average life expectancy of a wild turkey is about three years. Biology and management is destined to become as highly regarded as some of the others. Restoration efforts of the nwtf are mentioned thankfully throughout the book. In conjunction with our partner the johns hopkins university press, we publish books on popular topics in wildlife conservation and management. In order to manage wild turkeys and their habitat, it is good to understand some basic facts about their biology. Wild turkeys are large birds with long legs, long necks and large fanshaped tails. Dickson article pdf available in journal of wildlife diseases 32. It was easy to find the information on the species that are within the region we live in. We have compiled information from the nations top turkey managers on how to raise and hold more turkeys on your place. While wild turkeys are capable of flight, domesticated turkeys cannot fly. The book was published awhile ago and an updated version listing more recent research and potential survey types would be beneficial, but this book still lists the key elements needed in.
Williams work provides important biological and behavioral information based on his. Most wild turkeys probably live less than two years. In the instances where turkeys did cause damage, it was to specialty crops, vineyards. Wild turkey biology faqs pennsylvania game commission. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which was originally derived from a southern mexican subspecies of wild turkey not the related ocellated turkey. Forest service book standard reference for all subspecies extensive, new information on all aspects of wild turkey ecology and management the standard reference for all subspecieseastern, goulds, merriams, florida and rio grandethe wild turkey summarizes the new technologies and studies leading to better understanding. Would recommend this book to anyone who wants to become educated on the wild turkey. In spite of their size, wild turkeys can fly at speeds up to 55 miles per hour. The wild turkey meleagris gallopavo is an upland ground bird native to north america, one of two extant species of turkey, and the heaviest member of the diverse galliformes.
All about wild turkeys national wild turkey federation. One study in the edwards plateau reported that as females left winter roost sites, they. When most americans think about great wildlife success stories, they think about the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, or possibly the recent news of sea turtle recovery what many people forget, or perhaps never knew, is that americas wild turkey population was once estimated to be approximately 30,000 a number comparable to todays estimates for polar. The wild turkey biology and management edited by j. This feature article first appeared back in 2001 as all about the wild turkey, a chapter in the team realtree turkey hunting fieldbook. Wild turkey biology and habitat management in missouri 2017. Mcilhenny, and published in 1914 with two later printings of note. He had a keen interest in wild turkey management and was passionate about. Complete book of the wild turkey download ebook pdf. Biokids kids inquiry of diverse species, meleagris. Forest service book standard reference for all subspecies extensive, new information on all aspects of wild turkey ecology and management the standard reference for all subspecieseastern, goulds, merriams, florida and rio grandethe wild turkey summarizes the new technologies and studies leading to better understanding and management. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. The record for a banded hen in the wild is about years.
It has been accepted for inclusion in wildlife damage management technical series by an authorized. This species of bird has not only been restored to almost all of its family range, but has been successful to suitable habitats. Hens lay 10 to 12 eggs, which hatch in about 28 days. New turkeyhunting book highlights nwtf role in super slam. Wild turkey biology and habitat management in missouri. With over 80 years of selling poultry supplies we have the right turkey raising and care for you. A key feature of an optimal turkey range is a diversity of individual habitats including fields, meadows, woodlands etc. In the early 1900s, wild turkeys were on the brink of extinction, with only about 200,000 left.
Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Learn where, why and when turkeys strut and then find out why its important for hunters to know. Wild turkeys unl digital commons university of nebraskalincoln. The wild turkey sucess story essay 455 words bartleby. Wild turkey biology and habitat management panhandle. Click download or read online button to get complete book of the wild turkey book now. What ive learned about the wild turkey success story is that the wild turkey is one of the most significant wildlife restoration successes in north american history. Information on the biology and behavior of wild turkeys. Willliams was the authority on wild turkey behavior and biology. This guide provides recommendations for doing just that. The timing of spring turkey season is therefore a significant management. Where the cheese gets binding is when we start looking for the cornerstone books of turkey hunting, the four key titles those books include. Adult male wild turkeys are very large and dark with a bare, red and blue head, with red wattles on the throat and neck.
Managing for wild turkeys for those of us truly consumed with the sport of turkey hunting, providing suitable habitat for the wild turkey rivals our passion for the sport itself. These big, spectacular birds are an increasingly common sight the rest of the year, too, as flocks stride around woods and clearings like miniature dinosaurs. Wild turkey population history and overview natural history. Patrick cook, alabama cooperative extension system the meeting has been divided into 7 videos. Ive been reading a bunch of wild turkey books this spring seriously about a dozen and this book is rather excellent the biology and life cycle discussions are fabulous i read a quote from col. Dickson 1992, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. For additional information, see the management section that follows. This information, coupled with the management techniques found on the wild turkey habitat management page, are aimed to give landowners and managers the information needed to provide ideal habitat conditions for turkeys. The wild turkey is found in all of the lower 48 states and hawaii. Written by the late aaron pass, and as the title suggests, excerpts from the article follow, and offer some facts. I am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator raising orphan wild turkey poults to release them in the wild when they are old enough. Successful management of wild turkey populations focuses on proper seasonal combinations of food, cover, and water. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Wild turkeys can run at speeds of at least 12 miles per hour.
Second, that the wild turkey bred in domestication changes its form and the color of its plumage and of its legs, each succeeding generation degenerating more and more from. This broader information will help landowners and managers better understand the value of implementing specific habitat management practices. The articles listed below discuss many aspects of the biology of wild turkeys and how they interact with their environment. Many private landowners in missouri are interested in creating and maintaining habitat for wild turkeys. Wild turkey biology and habitat management in missouri n ot much more than a half century ago, missouris wild turkey population was in danger of disappearing from the landscape.
The wild turkey in georgia history, biology, and management i the wild turkey in georgia history, biology, and management department of natural resources game and fish division game management section authors reggie thackston, wildlife biologist todd holbrook, assistant chief of game management wes abler, wildlife biologist. Coming within one congressional vote of being our national bird, the wild turkey instead became our thanksgiving meal, and the population was widely exterminated throughout north america. Page 84 my experiments establish first that the turkey may be domesticated, and that each succeeding generation bred in domestication loses something of the wild disposition of its ancestors. Precolumbian populations of wild turkeys in the united states were. Another in an impressive list of definitive species accounts published by stackpole books, the wild turkey. Excellent book on the wild turkey, from its history and biology to how to effectively manage for turkeys in the different habitat types throughout the us. By the early 1950s, it was estimated that fewer than 2,500 turkeys were left in only 14 missouri counties. Tom kelly recently in which he said he was going to refer all his phoned in. Harassment using human or other animal activity such as a pet dog in an area. Although wild and domesticated turkeys are related, there are some differences between the two. A little about the ecology of wild turkeys the eco tome the eco tome.
600 1374 1559 283 542 61 461 1393 266 962 618 495 200 618 1329 1132 525 497 1187 962 1576 533 599 1502 956 1441 1122 1578 1216 1062 1417 367 1303 535 324 1076 428