Central Texas landowners 'appreciate' their turkeys

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

Steve Nelle, wildlife biologist, explains to participants what wild turkeys prefer to eat. -- Photo by Mandy Spikes

March 27, 2003 -- The importance of having a diverse plant life for turkeys and insight into keeping turkeys safe from predators were two of the main topics covered at the wild turkey appreciation day, which was held Mar. 20 in Ft. McKavett.

What wild turkeys prefer to eat was the subject Steve Nelle, wildlife biologist with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, covered. Extension wildlife specialist Dale Rollins discussed the predators of wild turkeys.

"Turkeys prefer to eat bugs and insects, no matter what time of year. The key to keeping bugs around, besides lots of rain, is a diverse group of plants, grasses, and trees on your land."

He stated that insects make up approximately 30 percent of a turkey's diet. Another important part of their diet are woody and fruit trees.

"Besides insects, they also graze in the fields. That's why you see so many of them out there. With some of the plants, they will strip the seed head. They don't peck at a seed one at a time like quail do. Turkeys pretty much eat anything that grows."

He said if a farmer wants to raise turkeys, then they shouldn't try to eradicate the pricklypear. "Turkeys also love hackberry fruits. They tend to eat it like candy. Only when you know what plants are on your land and why they are important will you become knowledgeable in wildlife management.

"While it's favorable for turkeys to graze in wheat fields, it's not necessary. They can even graze on a pasture. A wheat field is a better place because it's easy, relatively inexpensive, and pretty reliable. It's pretty hard to beat a wheat field for turkeys.

"Turkeys also need water every day. If you move your livestock out of the pasture and replace it with turkeys, leave the water going. They also like to drink out of a small puddle instead of a concrete trough," he ended.

"There are many predators out there that do kill turkeys. What you must ask yourself is if your management practices make turkeys more or less vulnerable to predators."

He stated that all turkey farmers have potential turkey predators in their area. "With adults, you must be careful of bobcats. With the eggs and poults, it's raccoons. We have more raccoons now than in the past. This is a huge problem for turkey raisers.

"Predation is a complex phenomenon. Remember that eggs, poults, juveniles, and adult turkeys are all vulnerable to predators. The highest survival rate for a turkey is by the time they become adults. There is a long list of predators, though, that would attack a turkey."

Rollins explained that for 10 months, tom turkeys are the least vulnerable to predators. This leaves them two months to be open to them.

"Rain and turkeys have a lot to do with their survival. If a hen gets wet during the night, they will have a smell that predators will pick up on. This is called the wet hen theory.

"Recognizing a predator's signs, such as tracks, can help tell what animal is in the area. If you can interpret these tracks, it can be real helpful."

He gave the different impacts associated with predation including:

• Turkey abundance relative to predators;

• Availability of nesting cover; and

• Range conditions.

"There are two approaches to minimize predation. There is the lethal, or offensive, approach and there is the non-lethal, or defensive, approach."