Abstract
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I assessed survival, reproduction, and habitat utilization of 31 Georgia-trapped and 29 Iowa-trapped eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) relocated to 4 release sites in Tyler County, Texas. Additionally, 8 Texas-resident and 15 Iowa-trapped wild turkeys were monitored on an intensively managed site in Houston/Trinity Counties, Texas. Iowa gobbler survival was zero after 16 months while Georgia gobbler survival was 0.833 during the same period usd(\chi\sp2 = 8.86, P = 0.003).usd During the 1994, 1995, and 1996 nesting seasons, mean nest initiation dates were 21 May, 06 May, and 26 April (F = 7.32, P = 0.001). There were no differences in nest and hen success among years or broodstock sources usd(P > 0.050).usd Nesting rate among broodstock sources ranged 60.0-72.9%. Nest and hen success ranged 0.0-20.0% and 0.0-18.2%, respectively. Mean spring-summer home range for the study was 1,023 ha. Of the 4 release sites in Tyler County, composition of the Little Cypress Creek release site was most similar to the typical turkey home range and consequently, survival at Little Cypress Creek (60.0%) was also the highest.
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