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USGS · 70022106

Wild turkey poult survival in southcentral Iowa

Michael W. Hubbard·D.L. Garner·Erwin E. Klaas
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Abstract

Poult survival is key to understanding annual change in wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations. Survival of eastern wild turkey poults (M. g. silvestris) 0-4 weeks posthatch was studied in southcentral Iowa during 1994-97. Survival estimates of poults were calculated based on biweekly flush counts and daily locations acquired via radiotelemetry. Poult survival averaged 0.52 ?? 0.14% (?? ?? SE) for telemetry counts and 0.40 ?? 0.15 for flush counts. No within-year or across-year differences were detected between estimation techniques. More than 72% (n = 32) of documented poult mortality occurred ???14 days posthatch, and mammalian predation accounted for 92.9% of documented mortality. If mortality agents are not of concern, we suggest biologists conduct 4-week flush counts to obtain poult survival estimates for use in population models and development of harvest recommendations.

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Michael W. Hubbard, D.L. Garner, Erwin E. Klaas. 1999. Wild turkey poult survival in southcentral Iowa. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70022106

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