Question for the experts

[Multidigits]

I'm doing some research, any help will be appreciated. Can anyone tell me the effects of a logging operation on turkeys??? I know the satistics on logging and deer, but not on logging and turkeys. Is there a difference in the effects if the timber is select cut vs. clear cut??? do you have any available data to back up your experiences with a logging operations in relationship with turkey habitat???

[Hunt n nut]

This is all I could find on the subject. It is from the Department of Forestry Resources, Clemson University. It's not much though.
http://www.clemson.edu/extfor/publications/fortp19/gamebirds.htm

<i>Turkeys have been reported to use a variety of forest ages and compositions. When available, older age classes are sometimes preferred. For example, during a 5-year study period in oak-hickory forests of West Virginia, Pack et al. (1980) found a majority of broods reared under a forest overstory, not in young, open clearcuts. Conversely, 95% of turkey hens with broods in east central Mississippi were associated with pine plantations, most of which followed clearcuttings (Smith et al. 1990). They also found that creating edge in pine habitats enhanced turkey productivity by increasing nesting success. In eastern Texas, forest openings created by logging enhanced turkey nesting habitat (Campo et al. 1989). After hatching, turkey hens with broods selected pole timber in upland areas.

Broods greater than 30 days old selected sawtimber stands in bottomland areas. All turkey broods selected stands with low timber stocking, low densities of midstory trees with herbaceous ground cover, and those that had been control burned. In South Carolina, turkey hens preferred to nest in young (£ 10-year-old) clearcuts, seed tree cuts, and mixed uncut stands (Still and Baumann 1990). In Alabama, food items used primarily in summer were most available in pine plantations (Kennamer et al. 1980). Pine plantations were used seasonally but not in as high a proportion as other available habitats. Thus, active, diversified forest management, including clearcutting, has been shown to enhance habitat for wild turkeys.</i>

[Multidigits]

Exactly what I was looking for. Any more would be appreciated. Thanks sir!

[COJO]

Clear cutting areas will provide good feeding areas for turkeys after they have hatched. Grasshoppers frequent the more open areas and they are the #1 favorite food source for young poults.
When the timber is cut, if the branches are put in piles, they provide excellent nesting habitat for turkeys. they love to crawl back into the brush piles where the predators have a hard time getting to them.
Watch the regrowth through. If regrowth comes up very heavy, turkeys will leave that type of area because they like to be able to see distances and they move from there into older growth areas with less understory.

Jmaynard - COJO

[Valley Station]

Turkey preferrence of habitat varies greatly throughout the year, depending on many factors. Flock of toms have different needs, compared to hens with young poults.
If I was going to cut timber on combination farmland/woodland property and was concerned about the impact on the turkey flock, my primary concern is "Where are the turkey preferred roost sites"?? Timber mostly hardwoods?? Any stands of mature pines or cedars for winter roost??
Your <u>research</u> should involve "field study" of your turkey flock. Whatever you do, don't cut their roost trees, out from under them.
I've seen stands mature pine "roost sites" cut and completely ruin the the hunting.

[Ky Headhunter]

...not that this is "expert" information, but...

A place I sometimes hunt was selectively logged 3 years ago. It's now Wild Turkey Heaven. Plenty of mature timber was left standing, but now there is plenty of edge cover, and some smaller fields (clearcuts) dispersed throughout the property. Variety is good!

[GSP]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...not that this is "expert" information, but...

A place I sometimes hunt was selectively logged 3 years ago. It's now Wild Turkey Heaven. Plenty of mature timber was left standing, but now there is plenty of edge cover, and some smaller fields (clearcuts) dispersed throughout the property. Variety is good!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Multi,
what Ky Headhunter, said is exactly what a PLB will say. Thin it out, make some clearcut openings, leave some roost and mast trees. Turkey and deer heaven.