VEGETATION CHARACTERISTICS OF WILD TURKEY ROOST SITES DURING SUMMER IN SOUTH‐CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA

Abstract

Abstract: We studied summer roosting sites of Merriam's turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) in south‐central South Dakota to provide information on the habitat needs of this population. Vegetation characteristics were sampled at 31 wild turkey roost sites in south‐central South Dakota for a population resulting primarily from the release of Merriam's turkeys in the 1950s and early 1960s. Roost site locations were obtained from 51 wild turkeys with radio transmitters and from direct observation from mid‐May to mid‐September 1984; nesting and brooding hens were excluded. The study area featured bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) woodlands and moist deciduous draws intermixed with mixed‐grass prairie. Vegetation characteristics at roost sites were compared with those at woodland reference sites. Diameter at breast height, height of tallest tree, and height of lowest limb >5 cm diameter were all greater (P <0.05) at roost sites than at reference sites. Visual obstruction readings from 1 to 2 m were higher (P <0.01) at reference sites than at roosts, whereas there was no significant difference in visual obstruction from 0 to 1 m or in density of trees. Basal area averaged 27.2 m2/ha in roost sites and 14.6 m2/ha in reference sites. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and American basswood (Tilia americana) were especially important as roosting trees. Bur oaks, the most common tree species, were not important as summer roosting sites.

Keywords

• basswood
• cottonwood
• habitat
• Merriam's
• river breaks
• roosting