Habitat Characteristics of Eastern Wild Turkey Nest and Ground-Roost Sites in 2 Longleaf Pine Forests

We examined habitat characteristics at nests and ground-roosts used by broods.  We found that nests were often closer to or in shrub/scrub habitats, and that they were typically in areas with more woody ground cover and taller vegetation.  We also found that ground-roosts were associated with forests that had a hardwood component, which makes sense given that these sites were primarily pine.  We suggested that management of longleaf pine forests focus on maintaining open-canopied forests with adequate understory vegetation to provide nesting and brood-rearing cover, which would involve frequent use of prescribed fire.