Wildlife Society Bulletin (Jan 1990)

WILD TURKEY USE OF STREAMSIDE MANAGEMENT ZONES IN LOBLOLLY PINE PLANTATIONS

  • John D. Burk,
  • George A. Hurst,
  • David R. Smith,
  • Bruce D. Leopold,
  • James G. Dickson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1990.tb00186.x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1990, no. S1
pp. 84 – 89

Abstract

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Abstract:, Documentation of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) use of streamside management zones (SMZs) in short‐rotation pine plantations is inadequate. Turkey use of narrow (30‐45 m), medium (84‐104 m), and wide (170‐179 m) SMZs in midrotation‐aged (13‐19 years old) loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations was studied using telemetry in Kemper County, Mississippi, 1986‐1988. We recorded 14,809 locations on 108 turkeys during 2.5 years. Hen use of SMZs and adjacent areas was greater than expected in 20 of 30 possible cases (10 seasons x 3 SMZ widths), as expected in 9 cases, and less than expected in 1 case. Gobbler use of SMZs and adjacent areas was greater than expected in 14 cases, as expected in 13 cases, and less than expected in 3 cases. Turkey sign (droppings, feathers, tracks) was significantly less in 3 narrow SMZs than in 3 medium and 3 wide SMZs from October 1987 through September 1988. We believe that the greater‐than‐expected use of SMZs documents the importance of SMZs in pine plantations for wild turkeys.