1. Rio Grande Wild Turkey Biology & Management Andy James, Extension Assistant September 2014

2. Overview Introduction Life History Biology Management

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Possible Reasons for Decrease Reproductive issues Land fragmentation Increase in brush canopy Decrease in vegetative cover

8. Feathers 5,000-6,000 feathers 4 molts Different coloration between males and females

9. Physical Characteristics Females Smaller 8-11 lbs Males Larger 17-21 lbs

10. Life History– Physical Characteristics

11. FemaleMale

13. Life History– Physical Characteristics Adult Jake

14. Poults – Weight - a few ounces – natal down Life History– Physical Characteristics

15. Poults – Down replaced by 14 days Life History– Physical Characteristics

16. Movement Turkeys move up to 2 mi/hr in search of food Direction is random, but driven by food availability

17. Spring – bred hens move independently from non- bred hens Summer – gobblers move separate from juvenile males and non-breeding females Late-summer – brood flocks form Winter - males join flock

18. 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

19. Pre-Nesting Strutting display on gobbling grounds Copulation

20. Nest sites –Grass clumps –Brush piles Shallow depression Lays 8-16 eggs

22. Nesting

23. Eggs cream / tan with speckles Incubation begins when last egg is laid Lays 8-16 eggs Incubation takes ~ 28 days

24. Nesting Edwards Plateau – In grass ~18 inches tall Rolling Plains – Vegetation near roadways – Low brush important for poults

26. Nesting Reproduction and recruitment are highly important – Percent hens nesting and re-nesting – Nest success (clutch hatched out) – Poult survival

27. 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

28. Survival Rolling Plans – Males; juvenile 59%; adult males 36% Most mortality in the spring

32. Predation Effects on Nests

33. 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

43. Management Considerations and Planning Outlines a plan of action to enhance wildlife and habitat resources

44. Usable Space Diversity is essential

45. 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

46. Prescribed Burning Caution : spring and early summer might destroy nests and kill poults

47. Turkey Diets RGWTs have broad diets –Green foliage –Seeds from grasses and forbs –Mast –Animal matter –Content varies seasonally

48. 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

50. Roosting Trees Large trees with many horizontal branches and broad crowns –Pecan –Cottonwood –Oaks –Hackberry –Elm

51. Roosting Trees Roost trees should be protected from heavy brush encroachment

52. 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

53. 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

54. 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

55. 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

56. 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

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