The eastern wild turkey is one of the three turkey
subspecies found in Texas, occupying the Pineywoods and Post Oak Savannah
ecoregions of eastern Texas. Although eastern wild turkey population densities
remain low, habitat management practices such as prescribed burning and timber
management can contribute to more favorable habitat, which may result in the
recruitment of more individuals into the population.
A new video series on the WFSC AgriLife YouTube
channel will help viewers understand the biology and habitat requirements
of eastern wild turkeys, and how habitat can be managed to favor the eastern
wild turkey. These six new videos can be found below or by checking out the Eastern
Wild Turkey playlist on YouTube.
History
of Eastern Wild Turkey-- This video describes the history and early
restoration efforts of the eastern wild turkey, including the differences
between block-stocking and super-stocking. The parameters needed for an area to
be suitable for restocking are outlined.
Eastern
Wild Turkey Restoration: A Landowner’s Perspective—Listen to the story of
how a landowner noticed that turkeys were again occupying his land, and why
that inspired him to start managing his property to better manage the habitat
for turkey, using techniques such as prescribed burning and timber management.
Managing
Eastern Wild Turkey Nesting and Brooding Cover in Post Oak Woodlands—Find
out what makes an area suitable for nesting habitat, and how the land can be
managed through the use of prescribed burning to achieve that goal.
Nesting
Requirements and Management for Eastern Wild Turkey-- Discover when the
breeding and nesting periods are, and why it is important to limit certain activities
on a property during nesting season. The video also describes how to provide
cover for turkeys in order to reduce the success of their predators.
Managing
Understory and Openings for Eastern Wild Turkey—Unsure what management
tools to use? This video describes how to achieve different components of
turkey habitat using a variety of management tools.
Habitat
Management for Eastern Wild Turkey—Learn about the habitats that turkeys require
for nesting and what management techniques can be utilized to garner the
vegetation types needed by turkeys.
By Mason Lee, Texas A&M WFSC '15