Today, there are turkeys in 49 out of the 50 states, excluding Alaska, but this was not always the case. Ask any hunter in the 70s and 80s, and they will tell you wild turkeys didn’t exist. Seeing a wild turkey and telling your hunting friends was akin to seeing Bigfoot in the woods. The unfortunate truth is that this was mostly true; wild turkeys had dwindled to a nearly extinct population. In fact, many states had no turkeys altogether. So, how did a nearly extinct population of wild turkeys rebound to a population of nearly 6.5 million in such a short time? The wild turkey restoration is one of the greatest conservation success stories, thanks to dedicated individuals and groundbreaking work.
The Decline:
As early American colonization began in the 1800s, so did rapid expansion. With this came the clearing of large tracts of land for agriculture. These previously forested areas were critical habitat for wild turkeys, which require hardwoods and nut trees, such as oaks, to flourish. In some states, as many as 90% of the workforce was made up of farmers, resulting in an equal demand for land. As agricultural development continued, so did the decline of wild turkeys.
This habitat loss, paired with unregulated hunting and market hunting, led to turkeys being gone from 18 of the 39 states they originally inhabited. By the 1930s, their numbers dwindled to just 30,000 birds—their only safe refuge being the most remote areas. If something weren’t done soon, wild turkeys would be gone forever.
Restoration Efforts:
With turkey numbers at record lows, a pivotal piece of legislation was passed in 1937, the Pittman-Robertson Act. This act imposed a tax on hunting and fishing-related items to fund federal programs and wildlife management. Today, this act raises over a billion dollars annually, of which part goes directly to turkey conservation efforts. With the Pittman-Robertson Act in place and a focus on wildlife management, turkey populations were headed in the right direction.
But it wasn’t until 1973, when Tom Rodgers created the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), that things really changed. Rodgers was an insurance salesman and outdoor writer with a mission to restore wild turkeys across the United States. He started NWTF, and restoration projects were off. NWTF, alongside state wildlife agencies, quickly started transplanting and reintroducing turkeys throughout their native range and beyond. While each state has its own success stories, the project as a whole saw immediate results. So much so that at its peak, there were an estimated 7 million turkeys in 49 states minus Alaska.
Turkeys Today:
If you look across states today, turkey populations are a far cry from their record lows. That’s not to say turkey populations are in the clear. Particularly in the Southeast, turkey numbers have seen a steep decline in the last few years. The reasons for these declines are habitat degradation, a booming predator population of coyotes and foxes, and potentially the impacts that hunters have had on these populations.
In an effort to keep wild turkey populations strong, organizations like NWTF and Turkeys for Tomorrow are pivotal. The groundwork that these organizations continue to spearhead protects and restores crucial habitats needed for wild turkeys. In addition, state wildlife agencies have begun to tighten their bag limits to boost wild turkey numbers in areas where they are struggling. While we are far from the lows of the 1930s, staying ahead of turkey declines is crucial for the future of these wild populations.
How Can We Help?
The thought of turkeys being gone from the landscape was not all that far-fetched 100 years ago. While they have made a strong comeback, it is important as hunters and stewards of the land that we continue to protect them. So, what can you do to help wild turkey populations? For starters, joining and supporting organizations like NWTF and Turkeys for Tomorrow is a great start. The money from your membership goes directly to protecting turkey habitat, ongoing restoration efforts, and important research on these birds.
On a localized scale, as hunters, we should practice ethical turkey management. If you are in an area with a multiple bird limit and turkey populations are struggling, practice self-restraint and harvest just one bird. Additionally, if you are a landowner, habitat management can do wonders to support healthy turkey populations. Food plots are great resources for attracting and keeping birds well-fed. It’s also important to keep hardwood stands intact when possible. These hardwoods are crucial roosting areas for turkeys.
Wild turkey conservation is an iconic part of American wildlife management and outdoor recreation. With the help of hunters and conservation organizations, their comeback story is one of the greatest successes ever. With these ongoing efforts, we can ensure they will thrive for the next hundred years.