Effects of Winter Conditions on Reproduction in a Northern Wild Turkey Population

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Abstract
Nine aspects of the reproductive performance of female wild turkeys (M. gallopavo) were measured in Minnesota [USA] in 1975, 1977 and 1978. Of 75 radio-tagged females, 68 (90%) attempted to nest, renesting was common and eggs in nests of 67% of the females ultimately hatched. Clutch size averaged 11.7 eggs, hatching success was 82% and 37% of the young produced survived to late summer. Winter severity, measured in terms of impacts of site-specific conditions on late-winter body weight of females and mortality rates, varied within 14 different winter flocks. Females weighing less than 4.3 kg were less likely to survive to breed, less likely to nest, and had a natality rate of 2.6 females/female in the breeding population. Heavier females had higher survival and nesting rates and natality was 4.3. Strong correlations were observed between survivorship within winter flocks and reproductive performance of females that survived to breed. Severe winter conditions appeared to reduce egg hatching success among yearling females and recruitment of young among adults. Population modeling demonstrated that winter mortality and impaired reporduction performance can result in a significant decline in the population. At least 2 breeding seasons are necessary for population recovery. Impacts on hunting harvest quotas are discussed.

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