FACTORS INFLUENCING WILD TURKEY POULT SURVIVAL IN SOUTHCENTRAL IOWA

Abstract: Population models indicate that small changes in poult survival can contribute to large changes in population predictions. We used a proportional‐hazards model to evaluate the influence of habitat variables and individual characteristics on eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Michael W. Hubbard, Dale L. Garner, Erwin E. Klaas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2000-01-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.2000.tb00266.x
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Summary:Abstract: Population models indicate that small changes in poult survival can contribute to large changes in population predictions. We used a proportional‐hazards model to evaluate the influence of habitat variables and individual characteristics on eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) poult survival. A proportional‐hazards model with percent of area in woody cover and brood size was significant (χ2 = 6.10, df = 2, P = 0.047, n = 39). The risk of mortality to poults decreased by 2.5% for each 1.0% increase in the proportion of the area occupied in woody cover and increased by 17.9% for each additional poult above 8 in the initial brood. A decreasing risk of mortality associated with an increasing amount of woody cover was also observed for adult females on the same, highly‐interspersed, study area.
ISSN:2328-5540