Reproductive Characteristics of a Wild Turkey Population in Central Mississippi

Abstract

Long-term investigations into wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reproduction are needed to allow for annual fluctuations, illuminate trends not evident from short-term data, and provide data for effective sustainable management of the wild turkey resource. We used 13 years (1984-96) of continuous data to estimate reproductive parameters of a wild turkey population in central Mississippi. Mean rates of reproductive parameters were 72.3% for first-nest initiation rates, 27.9% for first-nest success, 34.8% for renest initiation, and 24.6% for renest success. Median date of incubation ranged from 12 April to 1 May. Juvenile hens did not contribute to reproduction. Hen success declined significantly over time and reflected a decreasing population. Most (51.1%) nest failures were attributed to predation. Poult survival until late July-August was 25.5%. Winter weather did not influence reproductive parameters, and hen experience did not increase nest success. Mean hen success for this population was the lowest reported for any eastern wild turkey (M. g. silvestris) population. Low hen success via lack of productivity from renest attempts, lack of juvenile hen reproduction, and low nest success may have contributed to the population decline. A simplistic population model indicated that, given current reproduction and hen survival, maintaining wild turkeys as a closed population on our area is doubtful.