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Wild Turkeys Take Flight In Thonotosassa
Posted Nov 16, 2006 by Suzanne Schmidt
Updated Nov 16, 2006 at 11:52 AM
CONSERVATION EFFORTS SUCCESSFUL
By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT
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Yesterday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Wild Turkey Federation came together at Two Rivers Ranch in Thonotosassa to celebrate a symbolic release of wild turkeys into their natural habitat.
It was the first-of-its kind release in the Tampa Bay area, although others have taken place in other areas to help increase the population of the wild turkeys.
“The turkeys will be caught in the same area they are being released into,” said Joy Hill, public information coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “The release is purely symbolic to celebrate the wild turkeys being restored to the area. It is just a symbol of how far the preservation efforts have come.”
In the late 1800s, wild turkeys were abundant throughout Florida. As years past, the wild turkey population dwindled. By 1949, the state had fewer than 26,000.
Both the commission and the federation worked together with hunters to restore the wild turkey population to the number it is today – about 125,000. Conservation efforts have gone so well, the commission will allow a limited wild turkey hunt in Holmes County next spring.
“In the early 1900s, wild turkeys were nearly wiped out,” Hill said. “You wouldn’t know it today with how plentiful they are. They have come back from near elimination due to the concentrated effort of conservationist organizations and sportsmen.”
It might be a surprise to learn hunting and conservation go hand in hand.
But, Amy Forrest, public relations specialist for the federation, said the effort to conserve the wild turkey is largely backed by hunters.
“We believe hunting is part of conservation,” Forrest said. “If conservation is only one-sided and we only restored and replenished the population, then the turkeys would be hurt.”
Without natural predators and hunters, she said, the habitat would not be able to support all the wildlife.
“It is a management cycle. If there are no predators to maintain the balance, then the population will be sabotaged anyway,” Forrest said.
At the wild turkey release, school children and spectators had a chance to learn about the differences in wild and domestic turkeys.
Domestic turkeys can’t fly or run very fast, whereas their counterparts are sleeker and built for survival so they can readily run and fly. The domestic turkey has heavier neck skin, or wattles, and their breasts are much larger and broader.
In addition, the domestic turkey will gobble and make noise much more freely than the wild turkey. Wild turkeys are more cautious and quieter in order to avoid being eaten by predators.
The wild turkey is found in forests and wooded areas across North America and prefer acorns, seeds, small insects and wild berries.
There are a number of reasons the wild turkey needs to be restored and conserved, Forrest said. One of the most important reasons revolves around hunters.
“There are about seven million wild turkey hunters in the country,” Forrest said. “It is an art hunting wild turkeys. You are not going to be able to sneak up on a wild turkey. They have keen eyesight and they are very sensitive to sound.”
The wild turkey is native to North America.
“If we don’t respect the wildlife that was already here, then we will not only lose the wild turkey, we will lose other wildlife, as well,” Forrest said.
Florida is home to two different species of wild turkey – the Osceola turkey and the eastern sub-species of turkey.
Because the Osceola turkey can only be found in Florida, it’s the bird conservationists and hunters have worked so hard to keep.
“It is important to save the birds for multiple reasons,” Hill said. “The turkeys are a native species to Florida and should be here. They are important game birds, and they are an important part of the ecosystem.”
For more information, visit http://www.nwtf.org.
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