I am aware that the wild turkey population is increasing in Robeson County. However, I did not realize that wild turkeys were as abundant as they are until I saw the evidence for myself last weekend.

I traveled through the southern part of Robeson County on a rainy, dreary Sunday afternoon, entering the county on Highway 904 at Fair Bluff. I turned off 904 and traveled the county roads through some of the most fertile farmland in the county. A large amount of the land in this part of Robeson County is suitable habitat for wild turkeys, and recent efforts to restock these majestic birds into these areas have been quite successful. As I traveled, I saw several large flocks of wild turkeys either in open fields or crossing the highway.

Up until a few years ago, the native wild turkey population in Robeson County had completely disappeared. I am not aware of any documented records, but it is easy to understand that loss of habitat and hunting pressure caused the wild turkeys to become extinct in southeastern North Carolina many years ago.

Turkeys require extensive forestlands in order to survive and reproduce. Large, diverse stands of timber not only provide the habitat they need but these areas are also usually very secluded. The home range of flocks of turkeys may exceed 1,000 acres or almost 2 square miles.

Human activity and vehicle traffic often disturb nesting areas, preventing turkeys from properly reproducing. Predators, such as hunting dogs, bobcats, fox, and feral cats, destroy many turkey nests and kill many of the young turkeys within the first year of their life.

Turkeys actually require three different types of habitat. In addition to needing an abundant supply of food and water year-round, they need a special kind of habitat for winter survival. Acorns from oak trees, seeds from native plants, and occasional winter insects allow them to remain healthy enough during the winter to begin the spring nesting period in good health.

During the nesting season, turkeys need plenty of cover to protect them as they sit on the nest and to protect the young hatchlings when they first venture from the nest. Once the young hatch, habitat is needed that provides a vast supply of food for the young in order to ensure as much survival as possible.

Turkeys eat almost anything they can swallow. About 90 percent of their diet is plant matter, and the remaining 10 percent is animal matter. Most of their diet comes from grass and weed seeds and from the actual plants. In addition, they thrive on an assortment of berries, such as dogwood, blackgum, grapes, blackberries, and other kinds of wild berries. They consume a tremendous amount of insects and insect larva, especially during the spring and summer. They also eat snails and worms that are usually found in the moist bottomlands of our vast forests in the eastern and southern parts of the county.

Landowners are encouraged to manage their forestlands for the benefit of not only wild turkeys but also for many other species of wildlife that can be found in our county. When timber is harvested, efforts should be made to reforest those areas as quickly as possible, using a mixture of pine and oaks whenever possible. If those forestlands contain cypress ponds and stands of gum trees, consideration should be given to leaving these areas in their natural state.

Controlled burning on a regular schedule gets rid of all the buildup of leaves, pine needles, and fallen branches. If allowed to accumulate, this debris can allow a fire to burn so hot it will kill the trees, and much of the wildlife will be unable to escape. If removed regularly, fresh vegetation is allowed to regrow, providing an abundant food supply for wildlife and a much more attractive habitat for nesting and protection.

Whenever possible, landowners are encouraged to provide openings throughout their forests for diversity of habitat and food. These openings can be planted to seed-producing plants or can be left to regenerate naturally.

Because of good management, many species of wildlife are increasing their populations. Hopefully, this will continue in the future. It is a special thrill to watch a flock of wild turkeys as they search through fields for seeds and insects. I only wish more of you had seen what I saw last weekend.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 7/18/05