It’s that time of year where the fresh smell of the woods on fire is in the air, and prescribed burning is the focus for most quail managers to keep habitat in check, but for turkeys, breeding is on the mind. As such, springtime is a delightful time of year for the avid turkey hunter in the South, especially when gobbles abound. There is something about that assemblage of syllables, sounding like a cross between a yodel and a clap of thunder, vibrating the trees at daybreak that sends a chill up one’s spine. Indeed, it’s gobbling that makes spring turkey hunting so exciting and worth the pursuit. As most hunters are aware, on some mornings birds gobble their heads off, while other mornings they don’t gobble at all, even when the conditions seem perfect.
Generally, there are two peaks in gobbling: the first typically occurs well before mating begins, and the other during peak incubation. We are currently studying the gobbling activity on multiple sites in Florida, and we have anecdotally observed some interesting patterns such that peaks in gobbling vary from year to year and even site to site. We also know that the timing of these peaks may vary by many factors such as latitude, hunting pressure, weather, or overall bird density. However, it is less clear as to why daily gobbling varies beyond the influence of weather at a particular site from one day to the next.
Hens that are ready to breed typically go to the gobbler—not the other way around. Thus, when hens slip off to lay eggs or begin to incubate a nest a gobbler may “become lonely” and increase their calling behavior or even begin to seek hens out during these times. But, how big and how far are these birds moving?
Gobblers seem to exhibit a flexible roost site behavior, whereby individual gobblers have varying roosting strategies. Some show higher roost site fidelity than others, but most seem to have 2–5 primary roost sites that are spatially clustered which they visit frequently and numerous others that are less frequented roost sites and more spatially dispersed. The distance between primary roost site locations vary somewhat but are commonly about 0.4 miles apart, with a total circuit being 1 to 2.5 miles (see Figure 1 below). A pattern we are seeing evolve is that gobblers remain loyal to primary roost-site areas (even the same exact tree) for one to a few days, and alternatively roost somewhat randomly in between on a circuitous movement pattern. Currently, about 15% of our tagged turkey hens are incubating nests, so if you are managing for optimal turkey reproduction, wrapping up burning soon would be ideal.
In summary, part of the answer to why a bird doesn’t gobble on a good day may be because they simply aren’t there—they may be out seeking a receptive hen to breed. However, we have seen that gobblers often will return to the same area, and many times to the same exact tree, where they’ve roosted previously, so there is some truth to being patient, and perhaps persistence can pay off.
Figure 1. Roost site locations for two gobblers (one yellow, one red) during spring 2015, on Tall Timbers. Green-circled regions outline spatial clustering of roost sites which indicates primary roosts sites or areas with high roost site fidelity.
Wild turkeys are impressive game birds that roam across much of North America. When glimpsed in the woods or fields most people only get a quick look before they disappear in a flutter of wings. But have you ever wondered – just how far do wild turkeys travel on a daily basis? Understanding their movement patterns provides insight into these birds’ habits and habitat needs.
The Turkey’s Range and Territory
There are several subspecies of wild turkey, with slightly different habitats The two most common are the Eastern Wild Turkey and the Rio Grande Wild Turkey of the western states Their total home ranges can vary quite a bit. According to research, wild turkeys may occupy a home range of 370 acres to over 1,300 acres. This works out to between 0.5 square miles up to 2 square miles.
Within this total home range, the birds seem to stick to a core area most of the time. Their daily movements generally center around a fraction of their total territory. But turkeys will make forays outside of this core zone fairly regularly in search of food and cover.
Average Daily Movements
Wild turkeys are constantly on the move during daylight hours as they forage, socialize, and scout for threats. Studies using GPS tracking devices have given us a good idea of how far they usually travel each day.
The consensus is that wild turkeys will cover between 1 to 3 miles per day on average. The exact distance depends on the landscape, quality of habitat, and individual bird. In areas with plentiful food and cover, they may not wander very far at all. But in marginal habitat, or during seasonal changes, they are prone to longer movements.
Here are some factors that affect daily turkey travel:
-
Landscape – In open country with good visibility, turkeys can monitor threats easily and may range further. In dense woods, their movements are more confined.
-
Food and water – Turkeys go where the food is. They’ll travel longer distances to reach productive feeding spots.
-
Weather – Inclement weather like storms, heat or cold can curtail movements.
-
Time of year – More movement during breeding season and seasonal habitat shifts.
-
Age and sex – Adult gobblers range much wider than hens and poults.
-
Threats – Perceived predators quickly send them scooting.
So while 1-3 miles per day is typical, don’t be surprised if a turkey travels 5 miles or more when conditions warrant it. Their ability to cover ground rapidly helps them evade hunters during the spring season.
Seasonal Factors Influencing Movements
Turkeys follow natural rhythms tied to the seasons that affect how much they travel:
-
Spring – In spring, hens go on longer walks to find nest sites while toms wander more widely to find receptive hens. Expect more movement.
-
Summer – Hens contract their range to stay near poults. Toms form bachelor flocks and may range farther.
-
Fall – Family groups dissolve and birds form larger flocks. Young birds disperse to establish their own range.
-
Winter – Cold weather and snow curtail movements, as turkeys conserve energy. They make shorter forays from roost sites to feed.
How Far Do Turkeys Move to Nest?
One major factor driving turkey hen movement is finding a suitable nest site in spring. Their nesting habitat preferences can lead hens on longer journeys at this time of year.
According to research, a hen’s pre-nesting movements from winter range to nest site average around 2 miles. But some hens have been recorded walking over 5 miles to reach their preferred nesting area. This helps explain the “here one day, gone the next” nature of turkey flocks in spring.
Long-Distance Dispersal
While daily turkey forays are generally under 3 miles, the birds do occasionally make much longer movements. This is especially true of young birds establishing new home ranges in the fall.
Juvenile turkeys have been recorded dispersing 10 miles or more from their birthplace. Adult hens may also make significant moves to nest or during seasonal habitat shifts.
So while turkeys appear homebound, they are capable of wandering far distances when the urge strikes. Habitat barriers like roads and urban areas, however, now limit these long-distance dispersals.
Range Shifts Due to Habitat and Threats
As opportunistic foragers, wild turkeys go where the food and cover is good. They will readily shift their home range in response to changes on the landscape.
Declining habitat quality due to maturing forests or human activity quickly causes turkey populations to pull up stakes. They will travel longer distances to find better range.
Perceived threats like predators, hunting pressure, or human disturbance can also send flocks packing. Turkeys will evacuate areas where they feel unsafe and trek remarkable distances to find secure habitat.
Turkey Mobility Aids Survival
The wild turkey’s ability to cover ground is key to its adaptability. While not marathon runners, turkeys walk extensively in their daily routine. Their movements expand greatly during the breeding season.
This mobility allows turkeys to track down scattered food sources, seek out preferred habitat features, and avoid threats. It makes them a challenging quarry for hunters. Understanding what makes turkeys roam helps hunters pinpoint where to intercept them during the spring hunt.
So the next time you see wild turkeys swiftly departing, know that they may trot a mile or more before settling down. Their constant wanderings are driven by pure survival instinct handed down over the eons.
We need your support
If you are interested in wild turkeys please consider donating to this project. GPS units cost more $2000 per unit and last for about 1.5 years. Our goal is to expand monitoring efforts of gobbling activity to multiple sites and multiple years in the Red Hills and other areas of Florida, and continue monitoring nesting activity of tagged wild turkeys on Tall Timbers. Thank you for your support!
For past issues of the Tall Timbers eNews, visit the eNews archives, visit the eNews archives.
Tall Timbers eNews is a digital newsletter published quarterly. To receive email notice when there is a new issue Join Our Mailing List
Understanding The Wild Turkey
FAQ
Do wild turkeys stay in the same area?
How far will wild turkeys roam?
What is the range of a wild turkey?
Do turkeys go to the same place every day?