Brush Control and Rio Grande Turkeys in North-Central Texas

Abstract

Rio Grande turkeys used brush-controlled and untreated rangeland equally when suitable roosting and other cover was available but were absent in areas having an adequate food supply with little available cover. Food selection of turkeys was based upon availability of their preferred foods at different seasons. The two most prevalent foods in each of grass, forb, mast and cactus classes were the same from both treated and untreated areas 83% of the time. Similarity indices of diets between brush-controlled versus untreated areas were 60% and 73% for summer and fall, respectively.