Seasonal Habitat Use, Home Range, and Dispersal of Wild Turkeys in Southcentral South Dakota

Seasonal movements, home range, and habitat use of wild turkeys in south-central South Dakota were investigated using radio telemetry from summer 1984 to winter 1986. Spring dispersal from wintering sites ranged from 0.2 to 5.8 km (x = 2.8 km). Non-nesting females moved significantly (P ~ 0.05) farther than males. Fall movements from summer to winter habitat ranged from o.o to 5.0 km (x = 2.2 km). Marked birds always returned to summer areas used in previous years. In contrast, wintering areas changed yearly among some individuals. Home ranges for all birds in summer ranged from 46. 7 ha to 485. 7 ha (x = 169.7 ha) while winter home ranges ranged from 43.9 ha to 145.3 ha (x = 102 .1 ha) • Adequate snow cover was absent over both winter sampling periods disallowing inferences concerning its effect on wintering home range. Turkeys selected home ranges with at least 45% forest cover in summer and 58% in winter even though overall forest cover was 38% in the study area. Summer habitat use was analyzed in relation to available habitat which included grassland, woodland, and cultivated areas. In general, summer habitat use was directed towards cultivated and wooded areas in the afternoon and grasslands in mornings and evenings. Winter habitat use was analyzed in relation to available habitat which included grassland, woodland, and farmstead-cultivated areas. Winter habitat use was directed towards woodlands near farmsteads.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Year

1988

Author dc:creator

• Laudenslager, Scott L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lester D. Flake
• Charles G. Scalet

• Natural Resources and Conservation

Statement dc:rights

• <p>No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/</a></p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/161

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1161