Wild Turkey Food Habits in Pine Plantations in South Carolina

A total of 1,576 wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) droppings (650 male and 926 female) was collected from 1 January-31 December 1989 on Westvaco's Oswald Unit located in Jasper County, South Carolina. This Unit is made up of loblolly pine plantations (77%), natural pine stands (10%), hardwood stands (5%), and open, nonforested areas (8%). Fecal analysis was used to determine food habitats. Forty-six food stuffs were identified, and there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in food items by sex. Panicum sp., Ilex glabra, Myrica cerifera, Paspalum sp., Rubus sp., Vaccinium sp., Cyperus sp., and insects made up the bulk of food items throughout the year. The annual diet consisted of 92% plant matter and 8% animal matter.