Note: These archives are best viewed on a desktop due to the size and nature of the files.
The Second National Wild Turkey Symposium (1970 – Columbia, Missouri) built upon the early groundwork of the First Symposium in 1959, and reflected a new era of optimism. Wild turkey restoration programs had spread across much of the country, and researchers were refining techniques that were beginning to work.
1. Status and Distribution
Nationwide surveys showed that turkey numbers were continuing to rise. Successful restocking programs had brought the bird back to parts of the Midwest and South where it had vanished for decades. States like Missouri and Alabama were becoming models for others.
2. Restoration and Management
This symposium confirmed that wild-trapped birds were essential for reintroduction. Game-farm turkeys still showed poor survival and reproduction in the wild. Wildlife agencies began trading wild-trapped birds between states to speed recovery.
3. Habitat and Land Use
Researchers emphasized that timber harvest, prescribed burning, and selective cutting could all be compatible with turkey management when done carefully. Forest openings created food sources, whereas mature timber remained crucial for roosting and nesting.
4. Research on Population Dynamics
For the first time, scientists presented multi-year data on nesting success, poult survival, and the effects of predators. Early radio-tracking methods were being tested and discussed. Weather—especially cold, wet springs—was identified as a key factor in poult survival.
5. Collaboration and Communication
A key theme of the Second Symposium was the need for a stronger professional network between states. Biologists proposed standardized methods for counting wild turkeys, measuring reproduction, and reporting results. Interestingly, standardization across studies and states is something still being discussed, and has been a theme highlighted in the Status Reports in both the 12th and 13th Symposia.
6. Key Takeaway
By 1970, the wild turkey’s comeback was underway but restored populations were still considered fragile. The second symposium proved that practical field science and cooperation—not captive breeding—were the foundation of modern wild turkey management.
