Turkey, Quail, and Predators in the Rolling Plains, Texas

Predators like coyote (Canis latrans), bobcat (Felis rufus), skunks (Mephitis spp.), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) do kill substantial numbers of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and quail (Colinus virginianus). This leads one to ask whether there are fewer birds to harvest because of this predation and whether predator control could increase harvestable stocks. Predator control can be effective on a site-specific basis but may be impractical at larger scales. Traditional habitat management may also be ineffective where birds are forced to concentrate in remaining patches of fragmented habitats. Predator control, like many resource management issues, must be decided in a value-laden public arena, not solely on the basis of still insufficient scientific data. I argue that we need to separate these issues to understand the basis on which decisions are made and to determine what information we still need to know. Fates of 300 radio-transmittered turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) monitored on 4 study sites across the northern rolling plains (Matador WMA to Kansas) during 2000 showed that 52% (n = 155) of the transmittered birds died. Of these, 85% (n = 132) were depredated with losses attributed primarily to coyote (Canis latrans; 46.5%, n = 72) and bobcat (Felis rufus; 12.9%, n = 20) with some losses to raccoon (Procyon lotor; n = 1), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus; n = 4), and 14.8% (n = 33) to predation with insufficient evidence to determine which predator species was responsible. A first thought might be that with a 50% loss to predators and most of it attributable to coyotes, then we better control coyotes. Or do we need to improve habitat so turkeys can escape from predators? But, the question is not nearly so simple as that. What are the population consequences of these losses? Is this unusual or do turkey populations usually experience such mortality rates? When and where are turkeys being killed? Are there specific age and sex classes of turkey that are most susceptible? Is this 50% loss during a particular season or the result of particular environmental conditions that could be remedied? Are turkeys taken randomly or are there specific causes for the losses that we saw? What kind of predator control might work? What will happen if I just start removing coyotes? What habitat changes might be effective? This turkey population may not be in any danger, just because many turkeys are dying. Predation rates reported for turkeys range from 4-31% (Vangilder 1992). But, perhaps I could have more turkeys if fewer were depredated. How close is the population to carrying capacity (K)? If near “K” we would expect mortalities to be compensatory and any reduction in losses to coyotes would likely result in increased mortality due to other factors, though one of these could be hunting. If predation is keeping turkey populations below carrying capacity, then predator control might