ECOLOGY OF MERRIAM'S WILD TURKEY ON THE FORT APACHE INDIAN RESERVATION
Abstract The ecology of Merriam's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) was studied on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona during 1964‐73. Removal of 65 percent of the mature ponderosa pine had little effect on the turkey population. Intensive cutting in roosting sites and range...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1975-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1975.tb00101.x |
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| Summary: | Abstract The ecology of Merriam's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) was studied on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona during 1964‐73. Removal of 65 percent of the mature ponderosa pine had little effect on the turkey population. Intensive cutting in roosting sites and range improvement practices caused partial or complete abandonment. Daily movements were within a 2.0 kilometer (km) radius of the roosting site, but seasonal migration was as far as 29 km. Meadows were used quite heavily as feeding areas, but turkeys seldom ranged farther than 45 meters (m) from escape cover. Grasses and forbs were important foods, especially in the spring and fall. Ponderosa and pinyon pine seed, and acorns were eaten seasonally. Juniper berries were utilized in the absence of other mast crops. Turkeys used small earthen stock tanks during dry periods. Winter and spring precipitation was important for poult survival. The correlation coefficient between precipitation (January through June) and the hen:poult ratio (25 August‐30 September) was 0.828. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-5540 |