TURKEYS

TURKEYS. Biological Facts: Weight: males 17-30 lbs; females 8-12 lbs.

Length: males 42-48 inches; females 32-38 inches.

Flight and ground speed: Max. ground speed: 25 mph; max. flight speed 55 mph.

Habitat: woodland habitats mixed with agricultural fields.

Foods: waste grains, insects, wild fruits, and tree nuts.

Life expectancy: females 57%, males 35%. Mating: polygamous, hens typically mate with dominant male.

Nesting period: April-June.

Nests: usually shallow depressions in the ground.

Clutch size: Avg. 11 eggs (range 6-18)

Eggs: Tan of buffy white, evenly marked with small reddish spots; ovate (1 3/4" x 2 1/2").

Incubation: 28 days.

Young: precoccial; leave nest immediately and can fly to roost in trees at 2 weeks.

Number broods per year: 1; 30-60% will renest.

Nest success: 40-60%.

Wild turkeys numbered in the millions nationwide when the first settlers landed at Plymouth Rock and provided a readily available source of food for the table and the market. Like much of our native wildlife, turkey populations were unable to withstand uncontrolled hunting pressures during European settlement. A combination of year around indiscriminate hunting of all ages and sexes, and clearing of forested habitats to create agricultural lands all led to the extirpation of wild turkey flocks from their historical range north of the Ohio River and from most areas in the South and East. By 1920, approximately 250,000 eastern wild turkeys remained in the United States, occupying just 12% of their former range. Only 8 states still had a turkey hunting season, most in the mountainous terrain of the southeastern United States. Turkeys were virtually extirpated from Ioway 1900; the last verified sighting was made in Lucas County in 1910.

n the early 20th century, trends which lead to the demise of turkey flocks began to be reversed. Most states formed conservation agencies (counterparts to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) and gave protection to vanishing wildlife. At the same time, unproductive farmlands were abandoned as industrial jobs in growing cities became more attractive. Purchase of state and national forests, reduction in cattle grazing on public forest lands, and wildlife management were factors which led to the development of new turkey habitats in regions where no turkeys existed to populate them.

Most states began turkey restoration programs in the 1920s, first using pen-raised turkeys to produce large numbers of young birds which were released in the wild. These efforts were universally unsuccessful because pen-raised birds had lost their wary instincts which allowed truly wild turkeys to survive in their natural environment. In spite of expenditures of millions of dollars over several decades, no free-ranging turkey

n the early 20th century, trends which lead to the demise of turkey flocks began to be reversed. Most states formed conservation agencies (counterparts to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) and gave protection to vanishing wildlife. At the same time, unproductive farmlands were abandoned as industrial jobs in growing cities became more attractive. Purchase of state and national forests, reduction in cattle grazing on public forest lands, and wildlife management were factors which led to the development of new turkey habitats in regions where no turkeys existed to populate them. Most states began turkey restoration programs in the 1920s, first using pen-raised turkeys to produce large numbers of young birds which were released in the wild. These efforts were universally unsuccessful because pen-raised birds had lost their wary instincts which allowed truly wild turkeys to survive in their natural environment. In spite of expenditures of millions of dollars over several decades, no free-ranging turkey populations were produced. Pen-raised turkeys populations were produced. Pen-raised turkeys