EFFECTS OF WEATHER, INCUBATION, AND HUNTING ON GOBBLING ACTIVITY IN WILD TURKEYS

Abstract: The setting of spring wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting seasons has been influenced by tradition, gobbling, and hen vulnerability. Knowing the peaks of gobbling and the beginning of incubation is important in setting spring hunting seasons. We were interested in (1) determining the...

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Main Authors: James M. Kienzler, Terry W. Little, Wayne A. Fuller
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.tb00213.x
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author James M. Kienzler
Terry W. Little
Wayne A. Fuller
author_facet James M. Kienzler
Terry W. Little
Wayne A. Fuller
author_sort James M. Kienzler
collection DOAJ
description Abstract: The setting of spring wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting seasons has been influenced by tradition, gobbling, and hen vulnerability. Knowing the peaks of gobbling and the beginning of incubation is important in setting spring hunting seasons. We were interested in (1) determining the effects of hunting and weather factors on gobbling activity, (2) quantifying daily and seasonal trends in the intensity of gobbling activity, and (3) determining the relationship of chronology of incubation and gobbling activity. Early morning gobbling activity was monitored daily from mid‐March through early June on two areas in south‐central Iowa, 1978‐81. Although no linear trend of gobbling activity and hunter density could be detected (P = 0.87), the presence of hunters depressed gobbling counts (P < 0.001). Temperature and light intensity were also related to gobbling counts (P < 0.01). Precipitation the previous 12 hours and wind were inversely related to the counts (P < 0.01). Although gobbling activity was usually consistent between years, the chronology of nesting did not appear to strictly coincide with gobbling every year. After sunrise, within‐day patterns of gobbling were similar before and during the hunting season. Before the hunting season started, high average counts were relatively higher prior to sunrise, however. Hunting depressed gobbling counts at all times of the day. Hunting was estimated to be responsible for part of the late‐April dip in gobbling activity usually attributed to nesting.
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spelling doaj-art-e69ad401bd7a4ab8a7430d268f11ed572025-08-20T03:07:23ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55401995-01-011995S1616710.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00213.xEFFECTS OF WEATHER, INCUBATION, AND HUNTING ON GOBBLING ACTIVITY IN WILD TURKEYSJames M. Kienzler0Terry W. Little1Wayne A. Fuller2Iowa Department of Natural Resources1436 255th StreetBooneIA50036Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesWallace State Office BuildingDes MoinesIA50319Department of StatisticsIowa State UniversitySnedecor HallAmesIA50011Abstract: The setting of spring wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting seasons has been influenced by tradition, gobbling, and hen vulnerability. Knowing the peaks of gobbling and the beginning of incubation is important in setting spring hunting seasons. We were interested in (1) determining the effects of hunting and weather factors on gobbling activity, (2) quantifying daily and seasonal trends in the intensity of gobbling activity, and (3) determining the relationship of chronology of incubation and gobbling activity. Early morning gobbling activity was monitored daily from mid‐March through early June on two areas in south‐central Iowa, 1978‐81. Although no linear trend of gobbling activity and hunter density could be detected (P = 0.87), the presence of hunters depressed gobbling counts (P < 0.001). Temperature and light intensity were also related to gobbling counts (P < 0.01). Precipitation the previous 12 hours and wind were inversely related to the counts (P < 0.01). Although gobbling activity was usually consistent between years, the chronology of nesting did not appear to strictly coincide with gobbling every year. After sunrise, within‐day patterns of gobbling were similar before and during the hunting season. Before the hunting season started, high average counts were relatively higher prior to sunrise, however. Hunting depressed gobbling counts at all times of the day. Hunting was estimated to be responsible for part of the late‐April dip in gobbling activity usually attributed to nesting.https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00213.xgobblinghuntingweatherwild turkeys
spellingShingle James M. Kienzler
Terry W. Little
Wayne A. Fuller
EFFECTS OF WEATHER, INCUBATION, AND HUNTING ON GOBBLING ACTIVITY IN WILD TURKEYS
Wildlife Society Bulletin
gobbling
hunting
weather
wild turkeys
title EFFECTS OF WEATHER, INCUBATION, AND HUNTING ON GOBBLING ACTIVITY IN WILD TURKEYS
title_full EFFECTS OF WEATHER, INCUBATION, AND HUNTING ON GOBBLING ACTIVITY IN WILD TURKEYS
title_fullStr EFFECTS OF WEATHER, INCUBATION, AND HUNTING ON GOBBLING ACTIVITY IN WILD TURKEYS
title_full_unstemmed EFFECTS OF WEATHER, INCUBATION, AND HUNTING ON GOBBLING ACTIVITY IN WILD TURKEYS
title_short EFFECTS OF WEATHER, INCUBATION, AND HUNTING ON GOBBLING ACTIVITY IN WILD TURKEYS
title_sort effects of weather incubation and hunting on gobbling activity in wild turkeys
topic gobbling
hunting
weather
wild turkeys
url https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00213.x
work_keys_str_mv AT jamesmkienzler effectsofweatherincubationandhuntingongobblingactivityinwildturkeys
AT terrywlittle effectsofweatherincubationandhuntingongobblingactivityinwildturkeys
AT wayneafuller effectsofweatherincubationandhuntingongobblingactivityinwildturkeys