Turkey Scouting

[AmericanThunder]

I will be helping some buddies out on their turkey hunts this coming April/May. I have been on a few OTC turkey hunts here in AZ the past few years, but haven't been able to tag out yet. Any advice on when to start scouting and what kind of things to look for would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[KidBowHunter]

I would start studying the unit now, and start heading up in a few weeks or so (depending on the unit they may not have moved up there quite yet). Definitely look for scat, and also look for a lot of scat underneath a cluster of trees. This usually means it is a roosting spot for the night. They may or may not come to the exact same trees at night, but if they don't they will be very close by. These trees will usually be on some sort of hill. Turkeys like these hills because they can't fly very well, and like to land into the uphill side.

[PRDATR]

I have found them to like roosting about 40' up in Ponderosa Pines.

[CouesPursuit]

This is probably overkill to add to a turkey scouting post but owell, here it is, and it was cool to dig through some of my old crap anyway. I couldn't find my "Final" draft but this is a near-complete draft of a literature review I wrote back in 2009. Has some valuable resources at a minimum.

 

Abstract: In this literature review I present wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo) habitat selection with emphasis on the structure needed for healthy populations. Merriam’s turkey (Meleagris gallapavo merriami) in the southwest US generally use the tallest and largest trees for roost sites illustrating a key habitat preference.

JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 00(0):000-000

Keywords: Canopy Cover, Gould’s Turkey, Habitat, Meleagris gallapavo, Merriams Turkey, Southwest, Roost, Wild Turkey

 

The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallapavo) in Southwest North American prefer mature forest types including ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), pinyon-pine (Pinus edulis), juniper (Juniperus spp.) and live oaks (Quercus sp.). Merriam’s turkey (Meleagris gallapavo merriami) are most abundant in the southwest but Gould’s (Meleagris gallapavo mexicana) and Rio-Grande turkey populations (Meleagris gallapavo intermedia) also exist.

Wild turkey have been extensively studied in native and expanding ranges due to recreational interest for hunting and wildlife viewing (Hoffman 1991). Studies prior to 1990 were primarily on female turkeys and investigated physical features of habitat such as roosting sites, nesting areas and foraging habits (Hoffman 1991). Recent studies include more information on male activities, movement and habitat preference as well.

Wild turkey shift seasonally through different habitat types where roosting sites were documented. Research supports turkeys inhabit denser forests in the winter season where more roosting sites are located. In the summer, turkey preferred higher elevations with more open fields for foraging, but roosting trees were in lower numbers.

Forest fire suppression has played a role in the decline of turkey populations. Alteration of the natural disturbance regimes in pyric ponderosa pine forest create large quantities of forest fuels that later burn excessively damaging both soil and key habitat components such as roost sites. Therefore the lack of fire has resulted in either a scarcity of suitable roost trees or swollen forests that support fewer meadows and other open feeding areas (Boeker and Scott 1969). Overgrazing of livestock and logging also have decreased northern Arizona turkey populations (Martin et al. 2005).

Recent management efforts for turkey focus in restoring overgrown ponderosa pine forests that have accumulated large quantities of forest fuels from poor habitat management (Martin et al 2005). This type of ponderosa pine adaptive management in northern Arizona allows for biologists to manipulate forests to create optimal turkey habitat.

The objective of this manuscript is to describe turkey habitat in the southwest and specific attributes on these sites. I reviewed peer reviewed literature and incorporated findings and generated new management approaches, which may benefit not only turkeys but many species.

STUDY AREA AND METHODS

Hoffman (1991) evaluated male Merriam’s turkey movements, roosting activities and other home range characteristics in south-central Colorado during the spring of 1986, 1988, and 1989. Turkeys were trapped in Longs, Sowbelly and Martinez canyons southwest of Trinidad, CO.

Hoffman (1968) observed both behavior and roosting tree characteristics in 9 winter and 10 summer roosting sites in south-central Colorado. Key winter and summer sites were determined from sign ID and interviewing landowners. Characteristics of 149 trees on winter sites and 61 roosting trees on summer sites were measured, and included elevation, slope, tree height, and diameter at breast height (DBH) of each roost.

Boeker and Scott (1969) first studied Merriam’s turkey roosting tree sites in central Arizona. Measurements were taken on 158 used and 42 unused ponderosa pine trees. Characteristics included height, dbh, distance from ground to first branch, age inferring slope, aspect as well as distance from permanent water sources.

Boeker and Scott (1977) later studied the response of Merriam’s turkey to Pinyon-juniper control after restoration efforts on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and parts of Navajo and northern Gila counties, Arizona. Roadside surveys were conducted from an automobile along established routes but were restricted to summer surveys due to the inaccessibility to roads after winter snowfall.

Martin et al. (2005) observed Merriam’s turkey responses in northern Arizona restoration sites that had been prescribed burned and thinned in an adaptive management project. The Uinkaret Mountains contained both treated and untreated areas of ponderosa pine and live oaks adjacent to one another. Turkey habitat use was monitored and recorded by identifying numbers of scats and feathers below trees.

Murie (1946) reported on Merriam’s turkey on San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona by interviewing hunters and analyzing crops of harvested turkeys to determine food habits.

RESULTS

Adult males moved 5.3 +/- 3.8 (SD) km from winter ranges to spring breeding areas. Subadult males moved farther (8.7 + 3.1 km, P = 0.03) and occupied larger (12.3 + 4.9 km2, P < 0.01) home ranges than adults (Hoffman 1991). The median distance between morning and evening roosts used on the same day was 1,074 m for adults and 996 m for subadults. Distances increased between consecutive roost sites during the hunting season compared to preseason and postseason periods. Subadults returned to the same roosts more often (29%) than adults (19% [Hoffman 1991]).

Overmature ponderosa pine trees were preferred for roosting sites (Hoffman 1968). Roost location sites averaged 18% slope at 7,600 - 8,300 ft elevation in the winter and 8,100 - 10,300 ft in the summer. Old growth Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and white fir (Abies concolor) were used if they were the largest trees in the area. Merriam’s turkey groups roosted 3-11 trees near an edge or natural clearing or open ridge (Hoffman 1968). Average roost tree DBH and height were 21.5 inches and 70 ft. in the winter and 22.5 inches and 65 ft. in height in the summer with an average age of 163 years.

Boeker and Scott (1969) found merriams turkeys used a greater range in Arizona where an average of 13 trees were used per site. Ground cover was sparse except for juniper invasion in lower elevation sites. Roost sites in Arizona were on gentler slopes (5%) usually faced east or northeast. Turkeys usually flew into roost trees from the uphill side and 10 of 12 roost sites < ½ mile of permanent water sources. All roosts were < 500 yards away from an open meadow the size of an acre or larger (Boeker and Scott 1969).

Boeker and Scott (1977) found a 64% reduction in turkey populations following a pinyon-juniper control program that isolated roost sites 300 m or more from cover. The most drastic reduction occurred in summer areas of pinyon-juniper habitat when 3% of the 32% returned to the sites post treatment. Turkeys used open meadows among forested areas as feeding sites but seldom ranged > 45 yards from escape cover.

Martin et al. (2005) relocated 91 of the 120 turkey roost sites described historically by Moeller et al. in 1985. Trees not relocated were in areas where: 1) There were significant size in tree stands believed to be suitable roost sites or, 2) Sites without large trunks that showed no historical roost tree characteristics and use by turkey. Through the study 76 new roost sites were located and 24 existed in treatment stands. All roost sites correlated with mature ponderosa pine trees with a mean age of 263 years, Ponderosa pine 100 years older than others found in the study by Hoffman (1968).

Murie (1946) found that turkey habitat use had strong correlation with ponderosa pine, oaks and juniper trees at elevations greater than 6,000 feet. In one winter study two flocks of Merriam’s turkey were observed in habitat less than 4,000 feet in elevation where oak, juniper and cottonwood trees were present. Food supply at lower elevations was less abundant. The number of crops and droppings examined was insufficient to conclude full information on food habits in the area. 37 species of plants were identified as food source in the crops.

DISCUSSION

Home range size indicated male Merriam’s turkey used larger spring home ranges than females (Hoffman 1991). Mobility of males was increased by the onset of hunting season but since most of the study was on private property it was considered an insignificant factor. Since May is the hen’s most receptive period of the year, hen availability for males could stimulate more traveling for successful breeding.

Hoffman (1968) found that turkeys entered their roost from 19 minutes before and 3 minutes after sunset showing a direct correlation to temperature. The colder the temperature the sooner the turkeys went to roost. The flocks studied however always left the roost sight before sunrise regardless of weather conditions. The tallest and largest dbh trees were used for roosts indicating a basic need for height and sturdiness. The distinct preference for ponderosa pine trees may be explained because of the large open canopies with large lateral branches. Roost sites usually had an adjacent clearing or field illustrating the need for easy take off and landing during undesirable conditions.

Pinyon pine seed is a preferred food for turkeys although it cannot be depended on as an annual food source (Boeker and Scott 1977). Turkeys used the treated areas less after the pinyon-juniper control program showing a decrease in habitat preference. The lack in suitable roost trees in the summer habitat range was probably responsible for reduction in use (Boeker and Scott 1977), which concurs with other studies done by Hoffman (1968) and Boeker and Scott (1969). Amount of precipitation in study years could have also effected seed production of pinyon pine further reducing habitat use.

Through various studies examined in this paper it is apparent to believe ponderosa pine and other large trees are suitable habitat for turkey. Large tracts of grassland were always present indicating one other key habitat preference. Murie (1946) documented data outside of this general trend with populations using habitat at 4,000 feet in elevation. Conclusions may predict that one particular winter had below average temperatures and lower elevations were more comfortable for turkey in regards to thermoregulation. There was a documented, inadequate food supply (Murie 1946). The scratching of oaks by turkeys indicated acorn foraging and was verified by scat analysis.

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Timber harvest could be a useful tool for adaptive management but in all cases treatment procedures should never remove the largest trees in an area. In summer periods the habitat in the turkeys upper most elevations should be first for treatment. After careful review I would say it would be most beneficial to clear small fields 1/10 to 3/10 an acre in size near the largest trees stands in an area leaving a distance of 50 yards or less for escape cover.

Research supports wild turkeys are most dependent on open area fields for foraging with adequate escape cover. All nest and forage habitat must have a close proximity to roost sites within 1000 yards. Management practice should incorporate the knowledge that turkey seasonally migrate. Management activities should have proper consideration to time of year and terrain type generating as little disturbance on turkeys as possible.

I believe using GIS models is essential to rebuild turkey habitat in degraded areas. By modeling types of trees and percentage of cover, areas with the highest roosting potential can be identified for the best results or certain terrain may be ruled out completely if adequate roosting sites are not found. The general theme of turkey breeding potential and survivability displays the immediate need for proper roosting sites and adjacent fields for feeding.

LITERATURE CITED

Gustafson, E. J., G. R. Parker, and S. E. Backs. 1994. Evaluating Spatial Pattern of Wildlife Habitat: A Case Study of the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallapavo). American Midland Naturalist 131(1):24-33.

Hoffman, D. M. 1968. Roosting Sites and Habits of Merriam’s Turkeys in Colorado. Journal of Wildlife Mangement 32(4):859-866

 

Hoffman, R.W. 1991. Spring Movements, Roosting Activites, and Home-Range Characteristics of Male Merriam’s Wild Turkey. The Southwestern Naturalist 36(3):332-337.

 

Martin, S.L., T.C. Theimer, and P.Z. Fule. 2005. Ponderosa Pine Restoration and Turkey Roost Site Use in Northern Arizona. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33(3):859-864.

 

Mock, K.E., T.C. Theimer, B.F. Wakeling, O.L. Rhodes Jr., D.L. Greenberg, and P. Kern. 2001. Verifying the Origins of a Reintroduced Population of Gould’s Wild Turkey. Journal of Wildlife Management 65(4):871-879.

Murie, A. 1946. The Merriam Turkey on the San Carlos Indian Reservation. Journal of Wildlife Management 10(4):329-333.

 

Scott, V.E. and E.L. Boeker. 1969. Roost Tree Characteristics for Merriam’s Turkey. Journal of Wildlife Management 33(1):121-124

 

Scott, V.E. and E.L. Boeker. 1977. Responses of Merriam’s Turkey to Pinyon-Juniper Control. Journal of Range Management 30(3):220-223.

Arizona Habitat Hoffman.pdf

CO Hoffman.pdf

Goulds Turkey SW.pdf

Habitat PJ Turkeys.pdf

N Az PP Turkeys.pdf

Roost Turkey Trees.pdf

San Carlos Turkeys.pdf

[Little Creek Calls]

Turkey seem to be constantly moving throughout the year with the best available food source for each season. The only time they seem to slow down there roost movement and hold to a tighter more consistent pattern is in the spring when the hens start laying eggs and need to visit there nesting grounds each day to lay eggs. I have seen it quite a few different years in the areas I hunt that in March most of the birds will not be in the same areas that you will find them in during the hunt. Last year I went to several roost areas in March to get some pictures of trees and sign for my seminars and the birds and the sign were nowhere to be found. A month later in April we killed opening morning and seemed to find turkey and sign everywhere. There always seems to be a few that lag behind so if you do go out in March and see a bunch in a particular area keep it in the back of your mind as a backup place to check out if things don’t go as planned. Just don’t have that as your plan A would be my suggestion.

 

Thanks for posting those PDF's CouesPursuit I look forward to reading when I have more time.

[AmericanThunder]

Thanks everyone.

 

CouesPursuit - You are nothing if not thorough. Ha ha Thanks!

[Big Browns]

Tracks on water is a great way to find turkey area's! Turkey's will almost always water 1-2 times a day. If you find a lot of tracks on water, hit that area hard within 1/4-1/2 mile. Look for tracks on old roads. Turkeys love to feed along old logging roads. Fields with fresh grass are another great area to look for. Glassing large fields early and late is another great scouting option.

 

The key to Turkey hunting is hunting ALL day! Most the birds I've called in after 10am have gone home in the truck! Tom's are a lot easier to call in after they have left the hens for their morning alone time:)

 

Don't forget to look for sheds. If you find them, DON'T touch them! They carry a disease that is very dangerous! Call me and I will come get them to ensure knowone else catches the disease!!!!!!!

 

Adam

[CouesWhitetail]

Thanks for all the literature Coues Pursuit! And Big Browns.....LOL! on catching the disease!

[CouesPursuit]

No problem LCC, AT and Amanda. I'll post some more over time as it seemed well received with several downloads. I hesitated posting the draft version of my review with statements like "as well" and a few others but it's all good, my technical writing took some time to develop, and could still use a lot of help!!

 

Worst part is, I still haven't hunted turkey!! I'll be using this thread among others when the time comes next spring though.

[Little Creek Calls]

The key to Turkey hunting is hunting ALL day! Most the birds I've called in after 10am have gone home in the truck! Tom's are a lot easier to call in after they have left the hens for their morning alone time:)

 

This alone time you speak of is because the hens are leaving the tom to lay an egg each day in there chosen nesting area. They will lay one egg each day and catch up with the flock in mid to late afternoon until they have a full clutch of eggs and start sitting full time to start incubation. This a good tip and I have killed quite a few turkeys during this time. Most hunters are back in camp eating breakfast.