SURVIVAL OF WILD TURKEY GOBBLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN

Abstract: Information on survival, cause‐specific mortality, and harvest rates in relation to hunter effort for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) gobblers in the Upper Midwest is limited. As wild turkey populations and demand for turkey hunting increase in the Upper Midwest, this information is esse...

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Main Authors: R. Neal Paisley, Robert G. Wright, John F. Kubisiak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1995-01-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00210.x
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author R. Neal Paisley
Robert G. Wright
John F. Kubisiak
author_facet R. Neal Paisley
Robert G. Wright
John F. Kubisiak
author_sort R. Neal Paisley
collection DOAJ
description Abstract: Information on survival, cause‐specific mortality, and harvest rates in relation to hunter effort for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) gobblers in the Upper Midwest is limited. As wild turkey populations and demand for turkey hunting increase in the Upper Midwest, this information is essential for optimizing use of the wild turkey resource and refining harvest strategies. To evaluate effects of relatively high hunter effort on gobbler survival, 121 gobblers were radio‐marked in experimental Zone 1A during 1991‐93, where cumulative hunter effort averaged 7.2 and 3.6 hunters/km2 of woodland during spring and fall hunts, respectively. Annual and seasonal survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan‐Meier product‐limit method. Annual survival rates averaged 0.507 (SE = 0.005) and were similar (P = 0.530‐0.561) among years. Survival during the spring hunt period (SHP) was significantly lower (P < 0.006) than survival during all other seasonal periods each year and averaged 0.642 (SE= 0.014). Annual and SHP survival rates were similar (P > 0.05) between age classes. Registered turkey harvest averaged 1.3 and 0.7 birds/km2 of woodland during spring and fall hunts, respectively. No radio‐marked gobblers were harvested during either‐sex fall hunts. Results of this study provide new information regarding the significance of spring harvests for gobbler survival, given a known level of hunter effort.
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spelling doaj-art-a81fa60d9ac74363bb9293e62ddb67b92025-08-20T03:07:23ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55401995-01-011995S1394410.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00210.xSURVIVAL OF WILD TURKEY GOBBLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSINR. Neal Paisley0Robert G. Wright1John F. Kubisiak2Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources3550 Mormon Coulee RoadLacrosseWI54601Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources3550 Mormon Coulee RoadLacrosseWI54601Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesSandhill Wildlife Area, Box 156BabcockWI54413Abstract: Information on survival, cause‐specific mortality, and harvest rates in relation to hunter effort for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) gobblers in the Upper Midwest is limited. As wild turkey populations and demand for turkey hunting increase in the Upper Midwest, this information is essential for optimizing use of the wild turkey resource and refining harvest strategies. To evaluate effects of relatively high hunter effort on gobbler survival, 121 gobblers were radio‐marked in experimental Zone 1A during 1991‐93, where cumulative hunter effort averaged 7.2 and 3.6 hunters/km2 of woodland during spring and fall hunts, respectively. Annual and seasonal survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan‐Meier product‐limit method. Annual survival rates averaged 0.507 (SE = 0.005) and were similar (P = 0.530‐0.561) among years. Survival during the spring hunt period (SHP) was significantly lower (P < 0.006) than survival during all other seasonal periods each year and averaged 0.642 (SE= 0.014). Annual and SHP survival rates were similar (P > 0.05) between age classes. Registered turkey harvest averaged 1.3 and 0.7 birds/km2 of woodland during spring and fall hunts, respectively. No radio‐marked gobblers were harvested during either‐sex fall hunts. Results of this study provide new information regarding the significance of spring harvests for gobbler survival, given a known level of hunter effort.https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00210.xgobblerharvest rateKaplan‐MeierMeleagris gallopavoradiotelemetrysurvival
spellingShingle R. Neal Paisley
Robert G. Wright
John F. Kubisiak
SURVIVAL OF WILD TURKEY GOBBLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN
Wildlife Society Bulletin
gobbler
harvest rate
Kaplan‐Meier
Meleagris gallopavo
radiotelemetry
survival
title SURVIVAL OF WILD TURKEY GOBBLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN
title_full SURVIVAL OF WILD TURKEY GOBBLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN
title_fullStr SURVIVAL OF WILD TURKEY GOBBLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN
title_full_unstemmed SURVIVAL OF WILD TURKEY GOBBLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN
title_short SURVIVAL OF WILD TURKEY GOBBLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN
title_sort survival of wild turkey gobblers in southwestern wisconsin
topic gobbler
harvest rate
Kaplan‐Meier
Meleagris gallopavo
radiotelemetry
survival
url https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00210.x
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