This Turkey Tuesday is about behaving predictably and taking risks. All turkey hunters understand that toms can be unpredictable, and experienced hunters know to expect the unexpected – particularly when matching wits against toms who have dealt extensively with hunting pressure. Well, ongoing research is showing that some toms are more consistent in their behaviors than others, and others face a trade-off when it comes to taking risks. One, it appears that riskier toms are more predictable, whereas toms that are super active are less predictable – these latter toms must be the ones I end up encountering all the time, but I digress! Two, some toms become more predictable and spend time in areas where risk of harvest is higher, which coincides with times when mortality risk peaks. Three, not surprisingly, riskier toms that become predictable are more likely to be killed by hunters and predators – this makes sense, as being predictable and also willing to take more risks is likely to not end well when a tom is navigating the spring woods. Lastly, this research suggests that toms who take a cautious, sit-and-wait approach, may be better at avoiding hunters, but taking this approach may make them more likely to be killed by predators. Collectively, this work and other recently published research suggests that harvest and natural selection may be acting to influence the behavioral composition of our wild turkey flocks, particularly in populations exposed to strong hunting pressure. If you’re interested in digging deeper into this ongoing work, click on “Research” in the main menu. The take home is, ongoing research suggests that the toms we chase each spring may become more unpredictable and difficult to hunt in the decades to come.
Pic by Cameron Giddons.
