Determine the Impacts of Land Conservation Actions on Wild Turkeys in Texas
Request for Proposals — July 2025

Introduction

In Texas, a suite of voluntary incentive programs exists to incentivize wildlife conservation on private lands to implement habitat management or conservation actions for a variety of species, habitat types, and conservation outcomes. Many of these programs were established to address habitat loss and fragmentation, with the goal of benefiting wildlife populations, including wild turkeys. However, little quantitative data is available to show explicit quantitative benefits to wildlife species. As Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) continues to invest state and federal resources in supporting the growth of these programs and populations, it has become necessary to measure the benefits, especially for popular species like wild turkeys.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has invested heavily in private lands programs across the state and in recent years has begun to evaluate their effectiveness. This effort includes an ongoing statewide human dimensions analysis to understand the motivations and behaviors which drive program participation. As a complement, this research will help TPWD understand the biological outcomes for wild turkeys in Texas and provide a clearer picture of the impact of this work.

Justification

Wild turkey populations have observed significant declines in Texas since 2017 (Breeding Bird Survey). Some explanations for the declines include habitat loss, disease, parasites, increased predator abundance, and exposure to toxins. However, habitat loss is a key focus for the conservation community, including Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, across Texas. More quantitative data is needed to support the assumption that habitat management is positively impacting wildlife populations.

Furthermore, the Southeast Wild Turkey Working Group has identified “Impact of habitat availability/changing landscapes on wild turkey demographics, movements, and space use” as a high research priority for southeastern states. The 2024 Land and Water Resource Conservation and Recreation plan contains three specific goals. Research to further our knowledge of the influences of conservation practices on wild turkey population demographics would fall within goal one and associated objectives:

• Practice, encourage, and enable science-based conservation and stewardship of natural and cultural resources.
  • Be an exemplary steward of the public's lands and waters by using the best available science for ecosystem-based management.
  • Maintain the highest level of scientific validity and credibility.

Furthermore, Goal 5 of TPWD's Upland Game Bird Strategic Plan calls for the agency to “Increase educational opportunities for private landowners, managers and natural resource professionals to maintain up-to-date knowledge of native habitat management and wildlife friendly agronomic systems and practices”.

Research Objectives

The study design should address this main objective:

1. Monitor local wild turkey response, including changes to and space use phenology characteristics, in response to experimental habitat treatments, like those supported by USDA and TPWD to restore and manage vegetation, utilizing a before-after control-impact design.

Expected Management Implications

Texas Parks and Wildlife provides technical guidance to private landowners across Texas; this research will provide wildlife biologists, managers, and landowners with science-based quantitative information on the influences of conservation programs on wild turkey populations in Texas.