Analyses of Illinois Wild Turkey Habitat and April Foods

A vegetative analysis of turkey habitat was conducted in Alexander, Jackson, Union, and Calhoun Counties, Illinois. From these studies it was determined that turkeys inhabit relatively open stands of timber with agricultural fields and forest clearings in close proximity. Species of Quercus comprise approximately 40% or more of the tree species sampled, with Q. alba, Q. rubra, and Q. velutina being the most dominant. Found growing in association with Quercus are species of Carya, Cornus florida, Acer saccharum, Sassafras albidum, Fraxinus americana, and Ulmus rubra, in varying concentrations. The examination of food habits, determined by crop and gizzard analysis, is a synopsis of five years’ collections from turkey hunter check stations from 1975-1979. Acorns were found to comprise about 25% of the diet, with other important mast contributions being Carya nuts and the fruits of Cornus florida. Succulent new growths of grasses and forbs were also found in varying amounts, indicating the diversity of foods consumed. Arisaema triphyllum, Ranunculus abortivus, Toxicodendron radicans, and Zea mays are but a few of the native and cultivated plants utilized. When available, agricultural foods were consumed in large quantities, but were not selected over, or to the exclusion of, native species. Although it was previously believed that the turkey selected dense woods as desired habitat, the results of this study revealed that they may readily adapt to more open agricultural areas