[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Wild Turkey restoration in NC (Re: Christmas Bird Count blowout)
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Wild Turkey restoration in NC (Re: Christmas Bird Count blowout)
- From: "Will Cook" <cwcook@duke.edu>
- Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2001 09:14:38 -0500
- Organization: Duke University, Durham, NC
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
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