OAK PRAIRIE WILDLIFE VIEWS
Wild turkeys now common here

Today wild turkeys can be found throughout Texas, less than 100 years ago that was not the case. Overharvest coupled with expanding human populations in the 19th century had major impacts on turkey populations. As settlers expanded westward, turkey habitat was affected in various ways. The first game laws in Texas protecting turkeys occurred in 1903 when a bag limit of 25 turkeys per day was established over a 5 month season. Very liberal laws and little enforcement led to all time lows in turkey population by the 1920's. In 1919, the legislature reduced bag limits to 3 bearded gobblers per season. Since then tougher restrictions and enforcement, coupled with restocking efforts have enabled populations to increase greatly. Successful restocking efforts were mainly due to the release of wild-trapped birds, not pen raised birds. Landowners should not restock turkeys by releasing pen raised birds. This practice is harmful to existing populations and against the law.

Texas is home to 3 different subspecies of the American wild turkey, the subspecies are; Rio Grande, eastern, and Merriam. The Rio Grande is the most abundant of the subspecies and can be found in south, central, and north Texas. Rios typically can be found in areas of the state that average between 18- 35 inches of rainfall annually. Highest populations are normally associated near river and creek drainages. The eastern subspecies is found in the eastern 1/3 of the state in areas of the Post Oak Savannah, Pineywoods, and Gulf Coast Prairies. Eastern turkeys are located in areas which exceed 35 inches of annual rainfall. Merriam's are found in small isolated populations in mountainous regions of far west Texas where rainfall ranges between 15 - 23 inches annually.

Normally, eastern turkeys are slightly larger and darker in appearance than the Rio. Eastern gobblers average 19-21 pounds while Rio's average 16- 18 pounds. Hens are roughly half the size of the gobblers. Gobblers grow characteristic 'beards' which grow with age and roughly 15 percent of hens also have beards.

Turkeys are primarily herbivorous but during certain times of the year, they depend heavily on insects. Major food sources during the spring and summer include insects, buds, flowers, weeds, and grasses. Poults diets are near 100 percent insects for the first 2 weeks of live and then decreases as they age. During the fall and winter, turkey diets tend to contain more mast (acorns, pecans, etc), fruits, and green forage such as clover, oats, and wheat.

On average, turkeys will live for 2-3 years with highest mortality occurring to the eggs and poults. If you would like to contact your local biologist, see our Web site at www.tpwd.state. tx.us/wildlifebiologist.