Charles K. Feuerbacher

Relocated eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) have been increasing in northern Post Oak Savannah (POS) of Texas. However, it has been difficult to establish populations in the southern POS where mortality is high and reproductive success low. It has been proposed that high spring precipitation and high carnivore numbers account for poor population viability in the southern POS. We found that spring precipitation (1994-1995 nesting seasons) was not above the historic average (1950-1993), nor did unusually high rainfall events occur. These data suggest that spring...

Relocated (N = 76) eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) were released into the Post Oak Savannah of Texas in winters 1994 and 1995. Before release, each bird was fitted with a radio transmitter and numbered leg band. Mortality and reproduction were monitored through 1996 to determine survival and reproduction. First-year annual survival rates for gobblers and hens was 0.286 and 0.484, respectively. One of 4 study areas lost all gobblers within the first year. Mammalian predation (63.4%) was the primary cause of mortality. High post-release mortality was attributed to...

Past research suggests nesting habitat limits survival and growth of some eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) populations. However, information on nest-site selection is primarily on established populations with limited data on restocked birds. Our objectives were to assess nest-site characteristics of relocated birds and determine causes of nest failure in the Post Oak Savannah of eastern Texas. Radio-tagged wild turkey hens (N = 48) were relocated to 4 areas in winter 1994. We compared understory and ground cover characteristics between 22 nest sites of radio-tagged...