Age‐Based Shifts in Habitat Selection of Wild Turkey Broods

We monitored broods during the first month after hatching to determine how their selection of habitats changed as they aged.  We found that broods selected pastures, hardwoods, and areas closer to trails, but selection changed as broods got older.  For instance, broods were much less likely to select pastures when they were a month old than when they were a day old.  We also found that although pine-dominated habitats comprised much of our study areas, broods avoided them and in particular young pine stands.  Our findings suggest that managers need to promote early successional vegetation but also focus on ensuring that there are diverse habitats available to support broods.