W. J. Hamrick

The quality of spring hunting for eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) gobblers may decline with increased road access. A questionnaire mailed to turkey hunters assessed response to road closures for walk-in hunting on a Mississippi wildlife management area during spring 1986. Because hunters felt road closures improved hunting quality and reduced interference from other hunters, they strongly supported (92%) walk-in turkey hunting. Hunters who disapproved of road closures were significantly older than those who approved. Hunter involvement in the road closure decision...

Brood habitat use and preference by eastern wild turkey hens (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) were studied by radio telemetry in central Mississippi in 1984 and 1985. Habitat use and preference were determined for 11 broods in the 1-14 days age group and 8 broods in the 1-84 days age group. Mature bottomland hardwood forests with a continuous canopy, sparse shrub and understory, and moderate herbaceous (grasses, forbs, vines, sedges) ground cover were highly perferred (P ≤ 0.05) brood habitat for both age periods. Mature pine (Pinus spp.) stands and pine or hardwood regeneration areas...