Final Report for W-183-R-4: Wild Turkey Responses to Forest Management

Abstract

To better understand the response of wild turkeys to forest management activities and black flies, the objectives of Segment 4 of the Wild Turkey Responses to Forest Management research project were to: 1) Use micro-GPS telemetry to examine the effects of forest management, habitat and landscape features, and black flies on wild turkey habitat use, survival and reproductive success, with an added emphasis on western Illinois sites; 2) Use micro-GPS telemetry, accelerometer data, and insect surveys during the breeding season to document potential effects of black flies on hen turkey incubation behavior, hen and nest mortality, and poult survival associated with up to 60 wild turkey hens (split among study areas); 3) Use these results to inform/modify stand- and landscape-level forest and open woodland management plans and actions to benefit turkey populations in Illinois.