Poult survival is an important factor in the dynamics of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) populations. We captured wild turkeys in western Virginia and monitored radio-tagged hens (N=26) to determine the effect of brood habitat, brood movements and brood range size on poult survival. Poult survival to 21 days post-hatch averaged 0.203 (SE=0.05) during 1992 and 0.418 (SE=0.11) during 1993 (T= 1.37, P>0.10). No correlations were detected (P≥0.10) between macrohabitat and forest cover type variables and poult survival. Poult survival was correlated with the percentage of brood habitat composed of herbaceous understory vegetation (P=0.058). Poult survival was also examined in relation to a simple brood habitat classification system; however, no correlations were detected (P≥0.10). Average daily distance moved during the first week after hatching (T=0.69, P>0.10), average daily distance moved during the first month after hatching (T=1.15, P>0.10), and brood range size (T=-0.34, P>0.10) did not differ between hens with high and low poult survival. High quality brood rearing habitat (i.e., managed forest and non-forested areas) may be limited in western Virginia and could be enhanced through forest management activities and creation of herbaceous openings.
