Wendell G. Swank

Mortality and reproduction of 65 stocked eastern turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) were studied using radio telemetry on 2 different areas in east Texas from February 1979 through July 1981. The known survival rate was 62% after 1 year and 48% at the end of the study period. The known mortality rate was 11 % after 1 year and 21% at the end of the study period. Predation on hens during the nesting and early brood-rearing season was the greatest loss of adult turkeys. A high rate of nesting and renesting indicated a high reproductive potential for these turkey populations. Average...

Data from the use of live traps in marking and recapturing nutria (Myocastor coypus) for an estimate of the population size showed a disproportionate level of recapture in adults and subadults. The use of radio transmitters to determine movement and the use of steel traps and shooting to obtain recaptures demonstrated that the adult and subadult nutria were avoiding the live traps. Population estimates by the Schnabel method and the Lincoln Index illustrated the error introduced by trap avoidance. The use of a different recapture technique eliminated this source of error.