In the United States, five subspecies of wild turkey inhabit 49 states, not including Alaska. The subspecies which exists in Connecticut, Meleagris gallopavo silvestris, ranges from southern Maine to northern Florida, west to eastern Texas and north to North Dakota. The eastern wild turkey is a large, majestic bird.
How far can the average turkey fly?
Although the maximum distance turkeys can fly in a single flight is estimated to be approximately one mile, they rarely fly more than about 100 yards, which is usually enough to bring it to safety. The average speed a turkey obtains while flying any distance is anywhere between thirty and fifty-five miles per hour.
Where do most wild turkeys live?
forests
Wild Turkey habitat needs vary depending on the time of year, but generally turkeys are found in or near forests. Trees provide safe roosting areas and produce much of the food that turkeys depend on such as acorns and other mast. However, turkeys spend many hours in open areas as well.
What is the weight range of a wild female turkey?
The Wild Turkey is North America’s largest upland game bird. Average adult hens weigh between 8 – 12 lb. and adult toms between 10 – 20 lb., but a large tom can weigh in excess of 25 lb.
Where do wild turkeys live in the US?
The Eastern wild turkey inhabits most of the eastern forest, from southern Canada to north Florida and westward to Texas, Iowa, and Minnesota. The Eastern subspecies of the wild turkey is the one that inhabits Alabama.
Can a wild turkey swim?
Wild turkeys can also run 12 miles an hour and, completing the triathlon, they are actually adept swimmers. They move through the water by tucking their wings in close, spreading their tails, and kicking. Wild turkeys are able to fly short distances at considerable speed. They can also run and swim.
How high off the ground can a Turkey fly?
Wild turkeys can fly as high as 15 m (50 feet). However, they only perform explosive, short-distance flights, and they cannot sustain flying over long distances or time. But still, their limited flying ability is enough to help them escape from predators or to reach a tree branch for roosting.
Can I eat wild turkey?
Just about every part of a wild turkey is edible. While the legs and thighs of a wild turkey aren’t as tender as the breast meat, they are even more flavorful. Use them in soups, stews, slow-cooked turkey barbecue, and, my favorite, turkey and dumplings.
What state has no wild turkeys?
America’s 5 Wild Turkey Subspecies. The wild turkey is one of the most widely distributed game animals in North America, with huntable numbers in every state except Alaska. Estimates put the country’s total population at about 7 million, made up of five different wild turkey subspecies.
Which US state has the most wild turkeys?
Missouri
Home to more than 317,000 Eastern turkeys, hunters harvested 47.603 of them. That’s more than any other state despite the fact that hunting ends at 1 p.m. daily. There’s a two-bird limit, and the season runs from mid-April through early May. www.conservation.state.mo.us.
What is the #1 predator of the wild turkey?
Coyotes are among the most formidable predators of wild turkeys, targeting everything from eggs in nests to adult birds they can capture.
What is considered a big wild turkey?
If you hunt Eastern turkeys, you have a distinct advantage over the other subspecies regarding weight. The Eastern is the heaviest of turkeys and can weigh over 25 pounds.
Do male and female wild turkeys stay together?
Turkeys are considered polygamous breeders, as toms will mate with many hens and hens may breed with more than one tom. Males establish a pecking order of dominance, and the most dominant male may breed with most of the hens in an area.
What state has the best turkey hunting?
Here are 7 states that offer the best turkey hunting opportunities for experienced hunters.
- Ohio. 2021 Harvest Data – 14,546 Turkeys.
- Pennsylvania. 2021 Harvest Data – 28,087 Turkeys.
- Virginia. 2021 Harvest Data – 20,541 Turkeys.
- Missouri. 2021 Harvest Data – 34,595 Turkeys.
- Kentucky.
- Arkansas.
- Tennessee.
Are wild turkeys aggressive?
Turkeys may attempt to dominate or attack people that they view as subordinates, and this behavior is observed most often during breeding season. They may also respond aggressively and peck shiny objects like windows or automobiles, interpreting their own reflection as an intruding turkey.
Where do wild turkeys sleep in the winter?
Where Do Turkeys Sleep During the Winter? Wild turkeys love to sleep in trees during winter. Most times, they stay in areas where food is easily accessible. During the day, they hunt for food and rest up in the trees at night.
How fast can a turkey run a mile?
9 ) Turkeys can run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and fly as fast as 55 miles per hour. 10 ) A group of related male turkeys will band together to court females, though only one member of the group gets to mate.
How fast is a wild turkey?
TURKEY FACT #6: They may look off-kilter — tilting their heads and staring at the sky — yet they’re fast. Turkeys can clock 18 miles per hour on foot and up to 50 miles per hour in flight.
How fast does a turkey fly?
“Wild turkeys feed on the ground, which may have something to do with the myth that they can’t fly. The have to fly, however, because they roost in trees at night. Some accounts say they can soar up to 55 mph for short bursts,” LiveScience.com reports.
How far can a turkey see?
He has an approximate visual field of 270 degrees around him, substantial compared to Bob’s measly 180 degrees. Put that together with Tom Turkey’s uncanny ability to rotate his neck completely around and he can spot the Bobs of the world coming a mile away, 360 degrees around him, with a simple twist of his head.
Will free range turkeys fly away?
Because turkeys are able to fly, those birds have been confined to the caged yard. We wanted to allow them free range in the fenced-in grassy area. However, because it has an open top, the turkeys would be able to fly away.