Turkey in Texas
Summer Turkey Survey Results
Biologists recorded a considerable bump in poults observed from 2022 (0.68 PPH) to 2023 (2.71 PPH). We also grew from 7.08 wild turkeys observed per 1000 miles driven in 2022 to 9.55 wild turkeys observed per 1000 miles in 2023. Thank you (Biologists or Hunters or who?) for taking the time to record your turkey observations this past summer, see 2023 Summer Survey Report.
Three Fast Turkey Facts
If Wild Turkeys could smell, they'd be nearly impossible to hunt.
The eyes and ears of a turkey make it one of the toughest of all Texas game animals. Their vision is the keenest among all Texas game animals. They are especially astute at pinpointing movement and can hone in on noises from a mile away.
Wild Turkey Revival!
A hundred years ago, turkeys almost disappeared from Texas due to unregulated hunting and loss of habitat. Now, thanks to hunter and landowner support, bag limits and a restocking program, Texas has some of the highest densities in the country.
Where the Wild Turkeys are.
Turkeys now inhabit 223 of the 254 counties in Texas. You can see them roam at many Texas State Parks. One of the most substantial and oldest winter turkey roosts is at South Llano River State Park near Junction. Want to bag your own turkey? You can hunt for them on many of our Wildlife Management Areas and other public hunting lands.
Resources
- Harvest Reporting Questions email AppSupport@tpwd.texas.gov
- Harvest Surveys
- Wild Turkey Management
- Cooking Wild Turkey
- Wild Turkey Desktop Backgrounds
Turkey Management
The key habitat needs to sustain wild turkey populations is well documented in Texas. Useable space should include roosting cover, nesting cover, and brood cover dispersed within large contiguous landscapes of trees, brush, and open areas wild turkeys can easily see and move through. A wild turkey’s home range typically exceeds 500 acres and a flock can easily occupy greater than 5,000 acres. These large landscapes of useable space are often the most limiting factor in east Texas. In drier climates in the western 2/3s of the state roosting cover and annual climate extremes are often the most limiting factors for wild turkeys. Management strategies vary depending on what part of the state your property or management area is found.
For more information on how to manage for wild turkey and other wildlife species in your area, contact your local TPWD Biologist.
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