HABITAT NEEDS AND MANAGEMENT OF MERRIAM'S TURKEY IN SOUTHCENTRAL NEW MEXICO
Abstract: Merriam's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) nesting, brood‐rearing and roosting habitats were studied during 1979‐1982 on the Lincoln National Forest, Otero County, New Mexico. A rest‐rotation and a continuous summer seasonal grazing system were compared to ascertain differen...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1985-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1985.tb00161.x |
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| Summary: | Abstract: Merriam's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) nesting, brood‐rearing and roosting habitats were studied during 1979‐1982 on the Lincoln National Forest, Otero County, New Mexico. A rest‐rotation and a continuous summer seasonal grazing system were compared to ascertain differences in their effect on turkey habitat needs. The influence of past silvicultural practices also was assessed. Nesting habitat varied considerably with many habitat types and seres utilized. Overhead canopy density at nests was higher than the surrounding stand. Grazing and selective cutting did not appear to adversely affect the quality of nesting habitat or nest success. No nests were found in clearcuts. One of the most important factors limiting nest success was low egg fertility. Nest predation was 31%. Brood‐rearing habitat was less variable and consisted of small openings in mixed conifer stands, meadow borders and aspen glens. Hens with poults did not favor either grazing system nor did brood site vegetation (composition, cover and height) vary between systems. Selective timber cutting appeared to enhance brood‐rearing habitat by creating the small openings utilized by feeding poults, but clearcuts larger than 2 ha were not used. Summer roosts were found on varying slope aspects and were rarely used more than once. Winter roosts however, oriented on northeasterly aspects, were closer to water and were utilized repeatedly by large winter flocks. Summer and winter roost trees were mostly dominant or codominant white (Abies concolor) and Douglas (Pseudotsuga menziesii) firs but varied considerably in diameter, height and vigor. The minimum stand density utilized was 80 ft2/acre (18m2/ha). Winter roosts generally indicated important wintering areas for turkey flocks that showed no seasonal migration. Turkeys fed mostly on grasses and forbs during the summer, winter, and spring seasons. During fall, seeds and berries of shrubs and grasses were the food items most utilized. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-5540 |