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Hunting Activity Effects on Roost Selection by Male Wild Turkeys
Author(s) -
Wakefield Calvin T.,
Martin James A.,
Wightman Patrick H.,
Bond Bobby T.,
Lowrey D. Kevin,
Cohen Bradley S.,
Collier Bret A.,
Chamberlain Michael J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the journal of wildlife management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1937-2817
pISSN - 0022-541X
DOI - 10.1002/jwmg.21812
Subject(s) - predation , wildlife , ecology , meleagris gallopavo , wildlife management , seasonal breeder , geography , biology , hunting season , selection (genetic algorithm) , zoology , population , demography , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science
Roosting is an important component of wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo ; turkey) ecology as roosts provide security from predators and inclement weather. Males call (gobble) from roosts during the reproductive season, and roost locations are important for maximizing access to females and transmission of calls across the landscape, while also minimizing predation risk. Spring hunting of male turkeys occurs during the reproductive season, and hunting activity influences male behaviors and calling. Because roost sites are important for wild turkey ecology, we evaluated roost site selection and fidelity of male turkeys relative to land cover types, vegetative characteristics, and the presence of hunting activity during 2017–2018 in Georgia, USA. Prior to onset of hunting, males selected roosts nearest to hardwood and pine ( Pinus spp.) forests. Roost site fidelity was low and distances between roosts were large. After onset of hunting, males selected pine forests less and exhibited greater plasticity in roost selection while fidelity remained minimal, suggesting that males may have altered selection to mitigate risk from hunting while maintaining the strategy of moving about their ranges and roosting at different sites on consecutive nights. Future research should examine potential effects of hunting‐induced shifts in resource selection on other aspects of male turkey behavior and ecology. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.