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 Females Smaller 8-11 lbs Males Larger lbs

Life History– Physical Characteristics

FemaleMale

Life History– Physical Characteristics Adult Jake

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

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

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 non- bred 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

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

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 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

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