42 Nebraskaland • April 2023
new research eff ort is aiming to
uncover mysteries about Nebraska's
wild turkeys.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
researchers have teamed up with
Nebraska Game and Parks to trap
turkeys, measure them, collect samples
and outfi t them with GPS transmitters
and leg bands. Over time, researchers
will learn about turkey movements,
habitat selection, nesting success and
genetic diversity.
These variables all play a role in wild
turkey population numbers, which have
shown a decline in many regions of the
state and nation in recent years.
Trapping began in late January and
February at multiple sites near Crawford
and Trenton. About 60 turkeys, with a
desired ratio of toms, hens and juveniles,
will be tagged in each the northwest
and the southwest regions for three
consecutive years. Data collected will be
used to inform management of the game
bird, which has a lifespan of 3 to 5 years.
"Understanding wild turkey
populations will allow us to hone in on
the most important variables leading
to their declines," said Andrew Little,
assistant professor at Nebraska and
co-lead on the project. "We know with
any ground-nesting bird, it's a complex
situation."
He looks forward to calls from hunters
who harvest banded turkeys this
spring. Hunters will learn a little about
their birds, including where they were
trapped.
N
Follow along with the project at
awesmlab.unl.edu, necoopunit.unl.edu or
outdoornebraska.org.
Trapping
Turkeys
Photos and story
by Justin Haag
A
