Notes on Reproduction and Rate of Increase of Raccoons in the Post Oak Region of Texas

Abstract

This brood of eight poults was seen regularly throughout the remainder of the summer until the week before the hunting season opened. None of them was observed later nor were any reported seen by hunters during the season. In view of the fact that these young turkeys did not possess a normal fear of man and automobiles, it may be that they fell victim to a poacher. Clay Heitz, Wildlife Manager, Tucker County, has reported to the writer another instance of brood survival with no adult turkey present to tend or shelter the young. Mr. Heitz and numerous other persons in his area observed this brood several times during the summer of 1953. In no instance was it accompanied by an adult turkey. The summer of 1953 was hot and unusually dry. Presumably, such conditions may have been conducive to the survival of the poults. It came as a surprise to the writer that wild turkey poults are capable of surviving after death of the mother hen in early summer. Accepted for publication March 4, 1954.