Survival Rates of Wild Turkey Hens in Loblolly Pine Plantations in Mississippi

Information on survival rates of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens in the Southeast is limited, particularly on areas dominated by pine (Pinus spp.) plantations. Because wildlife managers are concerned about the effect of increasing pine plantation acreage in the Southeast and the implications of autumn either-sex harvests on turkey populations, we determined annual and seasonal survival rates of 111 transmitter-equipped hens from 1 January 1987 until 31 December 1990 in Kemper County, Mississippi. Annual survival averaged 68.3% and ranged from 49.9 to 81.0%. Seasonal survival averaged 92.5 (SE = 0.24), 81.4 (SE = 0.37), 96.7 (SE = 0.18), and 93.8% (SE = 0.27) for winter (Jan-Mar), spring (Apr-Jun), summer (Jul-Sep), and autumn (Oct-Dec), respectively. Most (95%) hen mortality was caused by predation, 69% of which occurred during the nesting and brood-rearing period. Survival rates were similar to those obtained for hens in more "traditional" habitats. High survival during autumn suggests autumn harvest may decrease over-winter survival of hens, and emphasizes the need for more intensive study of the effects of autumn either-sex hunting seasons on turkey populations.