Published on Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov)

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Population Monitoring and Research

The Wildlife Division conducts/sponsors a number of survey and research projects to keep abreast with turkey populations status, turkey habitat needs, basic biology, harvest, and harvest rates. These include poult surveys [3], gobbling activity surveys [4], banding, and radio telemetry. While more complete information about these projects is contained in the turkey program reports, several generalizations can be made as a result of these activities:

  • Brood size has been found to be generally largest in the western longleaf region of the State.
  • Adult gobblers typically make up more than 80% of the reported harvest at check stations on a statewide basis.
  • Turkeys are quite mobile. Movements of 5-plus miles is common in contigous habitat. Two radio-tagged hens moved about 20 miles before radio contact was lost.
  • Gobbling generally increases until the start of hunting season, regardless of the start date.
  • Harvest rate can be highly variable depending on the site, bag limit, and season length.

1-800-256-2749 | (225) 765-2800 | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000
2000 Quail Dr. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70898

 

Source URL: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/population-monitoring-and-research

Links:
[1] http://twitter.com/share
[2] http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/print/32518
[3] http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/pagehunting/32517-program/2009_poult_survey.pdf
[4] http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/pagehunting/32517-program/gobbling_activity_2009.pdf