Since springtime for hunters signifies the start of the “turkey year,” let’s follow turkey activity from spring to fall.
By the time the spring turkey hunting season begins on April 15, the breeding season’s peak has already passed. Toms will breed with multiple hens throughout the spring and early summer. When the eggs hatch, the hen will construct a ground nest near an excellent brood habitat—typically, an opening in the forest canopy—and in an area with adequate cover.
A hen will begin laying when she is about 24 to 32 hours old, and it will take her two weeks to lay a full clutch of nine to thirteen eggs. The hen will concentrate on eating and gaining weight in order to survive the impending incubation period in between laying eggs.
After all of the eggs are laid, the hen will spend roughly 28 days incubating them day and night. Incubation is interrupted only for an occasional mid-day snack of protein-rich insects.
Poults, or newly hatched chicks, can walk shortly after hatching and typically depart the nest in 12 to 24 hours. After eight to 14 days, young poults can fly short distances and start roosting in trees.
A hen doesn’t need to rebreed if she loses a clutch soon after laying because the sperm from the first mating can survive for up to 30 days. When a newly hatched brood of turkeys appears in late August or early September, hunters may assume that this is the hen’s second or third clutch. In fact, it’s more likely the hen has lost a brood and simply re-nested.
The biggest threat to a young turkey’s survival is within its first 10 days of life. If their down gets wet from rain, hypothermia is likely. Additionally, bobcats, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, ravens, crows, hawks, and even stray cats can prey on them.
Wild turkeys those majestic birds that grace our forests and fields, are surprisingly mobile creatures. While they don’t typically embark on epic migrations like some other bird species, they can cover impressive distances in a short amount of time.
Daily Movements: A Mile or Two
On a typical day, a wild turkey might travel a mile or two, depending on the availability of food, water, and suitable habitat. Their movements are largely dictated by their basic needs and the resources available in their environment.
Annual Home Range: Up to 1,360 Acres
The annual home range of a wild turkey can vary significantly, ranging from 370 to 1,360 acres. This expansive territory encompasses a diverse mix of trees, grasslands, and other features that provide the birds with everything they need to thrive.
Factors Influencing Movement
Several factors can influence the movement patterns of wild turkeys. including:
- Habitat: The quality and distribution of habitat play a crucial role in determining how far turkeys travel. If food and water are readily available within a small area, they may have little reason to venture far.
- Season: Seasonal changes can also impact turkey movement. In the spring, when breeding season approaches, hens may travel longer distances to find suitable nesting sites.
- Predation: The presence of predators can also influence turkey movement. If an area is heavily populated by predators, turkeys may be more likely to move to safer locations.
Long-Distance Dispersal: A Rarity
While wild turkeys are capable of covering long distances, they rarely engage in long-distance dispersal. This means that they don’t typically travel hundreds or thousands of miles to reach new breeding grounds, unlike some other bird species.
Genetic Clustering: Evidence of Limited Movement
Studies have shown that populations of wild turkeys from different areas exhibit genetic clustering. This suggests that although they are capable of dispersing over long distances, they generally remain within their established territories.
Spring Shuffle: Hens on the Move
During the spring, just before hens begin nesting, they may exhibit a phenomenon known as the “spring shuffle” This involves hens moving significant distances, sometimes several miles, in a short period. This movement is likely driven by their search for suitable nesting sites and the desire to avoid competition with other hens.
Wild turkeys are undeniably mobile creatures, capable of covering impressive distances when necessary. However, they are not migratory birds in the traditional sense. Their movements are primarily driven by their basic needs and the availability of resources within their established territories.
So, while you might not see the same flock of turkeys every day, rest assured that they’re likely still within their familiar stomping grounds, enjoying the bounty of their forest and field home.
Winter flocks and migration
As summer progresses, hens and their growing poults will join other hens and poults. At the same time, mature toms form bachelor flocks, often of like ages. By winter, turkey flocks may grow to 200 or more birds.
Turkeys in low elevation habitats, like valley floors, don’t need to migrate when winter weather arrives because the winters there are generally mild. Turkeys will, however, migrate between lower and higher elevations as the weather varies in the spring and fall, especially at higher elevations where severe weather can endanger birds. This is especially true in parts of central and eastern Oregon.
Prolonged winter storms are the leading cause of mortality for adult turkeys, as the crusted ice prevents them from finding food. However, turkeys are resilient animals that can spend several days in a tree, losing a significant amount of body fat while still surviving.
Toms can live up to five years under ideal circumstances (though they usually live two or three), and hens can live six to eight years. An eight-year-old hen is rare, however, and comparable to a 100-year-old person.
Understanding The Wild Turkey
FAQ
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