Prescribed fire influences habitat selection of female eastern wild turkeys

Abstract

ABSTRACTPrescribed fire is widely used in southeastern pine (Pinus spp.) forests to maintain desirable forest conditions and provide early successional vegetation. However, it is unclear how fires applied just prior to and during the reproductive cycle of ground nesting Galliformes influence resource selection. We examined the short‐term influence of prescribed fire on habitat selection of female eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) throughout their reproductive cycle (Feb−Aug) at Kisatchie National Forest in west‐central Louisiana, USA during 2014 and 2015. Kisatchie was dominated (>60%) by pine stands managed with prescribed fire at a frequent (i.e., 1–3 yr) return interval. We captured 46 females and equipped them with backpack‐style global positioning system (GPS) transmitters programmed to collect relocation data hourly from 0600 to 2000 each day. We used distance‐based analysis to estimate selection or avoidance of vegetation communities relative to reproductive phenology of individual females. Hardwood and mixed‐pine hardwood vegetation communities were selected for before and after reproductive efforts; hardwood stands were avoided during brooding. While laying their first clutch of the reproductive period, females selected mature pines burned 0–5 months prior. Females avoided mature pine stands 2 growing seasons post‐burn prior to initiating their first nests. Females avoided mature pine stands 3 growing seasons post‐burn when brooding. Turkeys did not select for pine stands that had experienced ≥3 growing seasons post‐burn during any reproductive period, and may avoid these stands during pre‐nesting and brooding. Frequent fire return intervals maintain vegetation communities that females select at some point during the reproductive season in pine‐dominated landscapes. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.