Winter Use of Agricultural Habitats by Wild Turkeys in Massachusetts

Abstract

We examined winter habitat use by eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo sylvestris) in western Massachusetts during 1984 and 1985. Use-availability analyses revealed that flocks used cropland, pasture, and softwood habitats more, and hardwoods, mixed woods, and abandoned fields less than expected (P < 0.05). Flocks spent 54% of the diurnal period in cropland and pastures and spent more time feeding on manure spread on fields than on any other single food source. During periods of deep snow, turkeys restricted their movements to <20 ha, used softwood stands and adjacent cropland and pastures, and fed largely on manure. Decline of dairy farming in Massachusetts may adversely affect local turkey populations. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 53(1):30-33 The quality of winter habitat selected by turkeys in northern regions may influence survival through winter (Wunz and Hayden 1975, Porter et al. 1980) and productivity the following spring (Porter et al. 1983). Deep snow reduces food availability, and snow depths over 24 cm can restrict turkey movements (Glover 1948, Austin and DeGraff 1975, Porter 1977a). In a recent survey, biologists from 21 states listed severe winters or lack of winter habitat as important limiting factors for wild turkeys (Natl. Wild Turkey Fed. 1986). Few researchers have examined habitat use by turkeys during winter in northern portions of their range. Porter et al. (1983) related winter severity and habitat use to survival and subsequent productivity. Agricultural habitats on their study areas provided the only abundant and reliable source of winter food and were used extensively by turkeys (Porter 1977b, Porter et al. 1980). Other investigators mentioned use of agricultural lands by wintering turkeys in the Northeast (Austin and DeGraff 1975, Hayden 1980), but quantitative data on habitat use and preferences of turkeys in the Northeast are lacking. As part of a larger study on the ecology of the wild turkey in western Massachusetts we collected data on movements, survival, and habitat use. Our objectives were to determine habitat use, and to quantify, and evaluate use of agricultural lands by wild turkeys during winter in 1984 and 1985. We thank J. E. Cardoza and personnel of the Western Wildlife District, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, for help with winter trapping. We also thank K. S. Santos and G. A. Shaughnessy, National Wetlands Inventory, for valuable assistance with photographic interpretation. J. E. Cardoza, W. M. Healy, D. E. Kroodsma, J. R. Longcore, A. M. Narahara, G. A. Wunz, and an anonymous reviewer helped improve the manuscript. This research was supported by the Massachusetts Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the University of Massachusetts, and the Wildlife Management Institute contribute to the Massachusetts Cooperative Wildlife Res a ch Unit. Funding was provided by Massachusetts Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration