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Wild Turkey restoration in NC (Re: Christmas Bird Count blowout)



Clyde Sorenson pointed out to me that the Wild Turkeys released in NC are 
indeed wild -- they're trapped where they're common and released where 
needed.  The ones by the Mattamuskeet entrance pond could also have been 
offspring of birds transplanted in the last couple of years, perhaps 
somewhat tame because there's no hunting in the immediate area and we were 
in a car.   

Here some info from http://216.27.49.98/fs_index_07_conservation.htm

Restoration

Early efforts at restoring wild turkey populations by releasing pen-reared 
or game farm birds failed miserably. These birds were simply not capable 
of withstanding the rigors of life in the wild and most quickly died. 
These efforts may have even been detrimental to the remaining wild birds 
by introducing diseases to which the wild birds had little or no 
resistance. For this reason, it is now illegal to release pen-reared wild 
turkeys or to allow them to roam freely.  

The live­trapping and relocation of wild birds is the only way to insure 
successful restoration of the wild turkey. Crude traps made of boards and 
chicken wire were used originally but trapping efforts were not successful 
at moving large numbers of birds until the advent of the cannon net. Even 
more advanced rocket nets and sedative drugs are used today to capture the 
birds.  

From 1970 to 1988, over 1,100 birds have been live-trapped and relocated 
to some sixty different restoration areas in North Carolina. Strict 
guidelines are followed in evaluating and selecting potential wild turkey 
restoration areas to insure the success of these projects. Generally, 
fifteen to twenty birds are released per site at the rate of two to three 
hens for each gobbler.  

The ultimate goal of the wild turkey restoration program is to restore the 
wild turkey to all suitable habitat. With over two million acres of 
potential, unoccupied range remaining in North Carolina, restoration will 
clearly remain the primary objective of the wild turkey project for many 
more years.  


-- 
Charles W. "Will" Cook                  w 919-660-7423
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook            cwcook@duke.edu
Box 90340, Biology Dept., Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708