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Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) association to roads: implications for distance sampling

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Abstract

Road-based distance sampling is a common technique used to estimate the density of many wildlife species but potential biases exist unless the target population is randomly distributed around roads. Our objective was to determine if and when Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia; RGWT) were randomly distributed around roads to identify time periods in which road-based surveys would be most appropriate. We used triangulated locations obtained from radiotelemetry of RGWTs in the Edwards Plateau (2001–2003), Rolling Plains (2000–2006), and South Texas (2003–2006) ecoregions. Using a geographic information system, we conducted a use and availability analysis by sex, season, and time of day for each ecoregion to determine RGWT use of areas near roads (<200 m). We found the most appropriate time to conduct road-based distance sampling was from 1 December to 15 March during morning or afternoon. Our results suggested road-based surveys conducted during these periods should yield generally unbiased results in the Rolling Plains and Edwards Plateau ecoregions. We recommend researchers and managers investigate animal distributions around roads before implementing road-based monitoring programs for other wildlife species.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Tech University, The National Wild Turkey Federation, and The Texas Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. We thank researchers from Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University–Kingsville, and Texas Tech University for allowing use of their data for these analyses. We also thank the Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife Conservation. We thank the Gene Howe WMA; the Matador WMA; private ranches in Donley, Collingsworth, Bandera, Real, and Kerr counties; and King Ranch, Inc. for allowing research on their properties. We also thank R. Howard of the San Tomas Hunting Camp and Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., and B. Richardson of the Mota Bonita Hunting Camp and Halliburton, Inc. for providing meals and logistical support in South Texas. Many thanks to R. Phillips, S. McKenzie, R. Swearingin, R. Walker, B. Petersen, J. Brunjes IV, G. Hall, R. Houchin, R. Huffman, T. Barnett, D. Holdstock, B. Spears, J. Bullock, A. Ortega-Santos, C. Lawson, S. Burns, R. Guaernos-Altamirano, E. Reyes, J. Martinez, R. Schrum, J. Montalvo, S. Vasquez, D. Jones, C. Randel III, J. Schaap, and B. Willsey for collecting radiotelemetry data. We also thank B. Collier, M. Conner, and 2 anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions on this manuscript. This is Texas Tech University, College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources technical publication T-9-1172. This research complies with current Texas and US laws.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Devin R. Erxleben

    Present address: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 114 Center Ave., Suite 300, Brownwood, TX, 76801, USA

  2. Stephen J. DeMaso

    Present address: Gulf Coast Joint Venture, National Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd, Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA

  3. Megan K. Dominguez-Brazil

    Present address: Llano River Field Station, Texas Tech University at Junction, P.O. Box 186, 254 Red Raider Lane, Junction, TX, 76849, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 42125, Lubbock, TX, 79409-2125, USA

    Devin R. Erxleben, Matthew J. Butler, Warren B. Ballard & Mark C. Wallace

  2. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, P.O. Box 2258, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Markus J. Peterson & Nova J. Silvy

  3. Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville, MSC 218, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA

    William P. Kuvlesky Jr, David G. Hewitt, Stephen J. DeMaso & Megan K. Dominguez-Brazil

  4. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 1320 FM 860, Palestine, TX, 75803, USA

    Jason B. Hardin

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  1. Devin R. Erxleben
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  2. Matthew J. Butler
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matthew J. Butler.

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Communicated by H. Kierdorf

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Erxleben, D.R., Butler, M.J., Ballard, W.B. et al. Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) association to roads: implications for distance sampling. Eur J Wildl Res 57, 57–65 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0399-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0399-4

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