Rio Grande wild turkey hen survival and habitat selection in south central Kansas

Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) hen survival and habitat selection were studied in south central Kansas using radio-telemetry during the reproductive season (15 March to 15 August) in 1991 and 1992. Dispersal distances did not differ (P > 0.05) between years, but were larger (P < 0.05) for juveniles than adults. Juveniles that dispersed long distances had a higher probability (P = 0.07) of survival than short-dispersing juveniles. The reproductive season survival rate was 0.621. No difference (~ > 0.05) in survival rate was detected for age classes or years. Survival was lowest during the 1 April to 31 May period, and mammalian predators were responsible for 83% of the mortality. Renesting hens had a higher probability (P < 0.01) of survival than hens attempting their first nests of the year. The average reproductive season home range size was 2,879 ha. Home range size did not differ (~ > 0.05) between age classes or years. Adult hens were more consistent than juveniles for their selection of cover-types in 50% and 85% core areas. Adults at the EAST (Bell and Dunn trapsites) and WEST (Haas and Woolfolk trapsites) sites selected against (P < 0.05) cropland and CRP fields. EAST adults selected for (P < 0.05) rangeland in their 50% and 85% core use areas, but WEST adults did not (P > 0.05). Juvenile core area selection was not only variable between years, but also between sites. Nesting hens selected for (P < 0.05) the CRP cover-type for first nesting attempts. Hens shifted cover-type use during renesting attempts. The CRP cover-type was used less frequently, and the rangeland cover-type was used more frequently for renesting attempts. Brood-rearing hens selected for (P < 0.05) riparian and treerow cover-types and against (P > 0.05) cropland and CRP fields at the Woolfolk trapsite. Cover-types were used in proportion to their availability by broods at the Dunn trapsite.