10: THE CHANGED STATUS OF THE WILD TURKEY OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES*
ABSTRACT The four races of the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo spp.) in the continental United States have increased remarkably during the last 30 years, both in numbers and in occupied habitat. Within the last 2 decades, the annual harvest has increased about 2.8‐fold. In addition, the wild turkey...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1973-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1973.tb00040.x |
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| Summary: | ABSTRACT The four races of the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo spp.) in the continental United States have increased remarkably during the last 30 years, both in numbers and in occupied habitat. Within the last 2 decades, the annual harvest has increased about 2.8‐fold. In addition, the wild turkey has been established beyond its ancestral range in seven western states and has been reestablished in two additional states west of the Mississippi, from which it had been extirpated. In the east, the turkey has been reintroduced successfully in six states. This expansion in numbers and in range has been due largely to the use of wild‐trapped stock and to habitat improvement. The present population of wild turkeys in the United States is estimated to be about 1,250,000 birds. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-5540 |