Mississippi wildlife officials highlight seasonal changes in wild turkey behavior

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks explained how wild turkey behavior changes with the seasons. During spring, gobblers become more vocal and display dominance to attract hens, focusing on reproduction. They often spend more time in open woods with abundant herbaceous vegetation.

In fall, turkeys shift their priorities to feeding and flock management. Birds are typically grouped by sex and age, including hens, jakes, gobblers, and poults. Their focus turns to searching for mast, such as hard and soft nuts, in mature forests, as breeding is no longer a priority.

The department noted that these behavioral shifts reflect the different goals of wild turkeys throughout the year. For more information, visit the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ website.

Photo credit: Steve Gulledge

Source: Original Article