How to Boost Wild Turkey Populations in Alabama
If you care about conservation, you know about the success stories of the white-tailed deer and the wild turkey in the United States. White-tailed deer restoration has grown into a practice called Quality Deer Management (QDM), which helps maintain healthy deer herds and grow larger bucks. However, even though interest in turkey hunting has increased since their comeback, we haven’t managed turkey populations as well as deer.
One reason for this is that we often take wild turkeys for granted. Older hunters remember when turkeys were nearly extinct, but many have stopped hunting. Today’s hunters in Alabama have only seen large populations and have abundant opportunities to hunt.
But now we see that turkey populations need attention. They are not as safe as we thought. If we want future generations to hunt turkeys, we must improve their numbers. Local landowners and managers can play a vital role in helping turkeys by focusing on poult recruitment, which is how many young turkeys survive and grow.
Understanding the needs of newly hatched wild turkeys is crucial. First, they need food—specifically protein. Many Alabama turkey hunters also hunt deer and often see turkeys feeding next to deer in the fall and winter. This leads some people to see turkeys only as herbivores. In reality, adult turkeys eat both plants and animals. Young poults especially need a lot of protein to grow quickly.
Poults proliferate, and their hatch coincides with when insects are plentiful—ideal protein sources. Whether you manage a small 20-acre plot or a larger 2,000-acre area, creating a habitat rich in insects can help these young birds thrive. This habitat also provides them with necessary cover from predators.
Consider what kind of cover is best for poults. Thick underbrush may be uncomfortable, but it is perfect for young turkeys who must stay safe from predators. While managing predators can help, improving turkey habitat is more effective.
There are many natural predators, including mammals, birds, and snakes. It’s nearly impossible to reduce their numbers significantly. However, providing good cover allows mother turkeys and their young to feed safely. This method helps achieve successful management of turkey populations.
So, what does a good habitat look like? It should include a mix of native grasses, plants, and shrubs that are tall enough to hide small birds but open enough for them to move easily. This type of cover offers both food and safety for the poults.
Placement of this habitat is also essential. As a turkey hunter, you probably know where local birds roost during breeding season. This knowledge helps you understand where they nest and where mothers bring their young once they can walk.
Creating a protected feeding area is useless if hens have to lead their young over open land that lacks cover. You should place these habitats close to where hens nest and roost. Adding buffer zones and connected areas increases the chances that poults will survive and grow big enough to reproduce.
In short, managing wild turkeys is essential for everyone. Landowners and hunters can help ensure that this game bird continues to thrive in the future. We can maintain substantial turkey populations by understanding what poults need and creating the right habitats. This effort is not just about hunting; it’s about preserving a valuable resource for all of us. We can enjoy these birds through careful management while ensuring their future in our ecosystems. If you want to come and see this practice put to work, come hunt Turkey in Alabama with us and see it all in action.
