Eastern wild turkey reproductive ecology in frequently-burned longleaf pine savannas

• Longleaf pine savannas are an economically and ecologically important ecosystem.
• Wild turkey reproduction is poorly understood in longleaf pine savannas.
• Wild turkey nest and brood loss to prescribed fire was minimal.
• Patch- and landscape-scale habitat did not significantly improve nest survival.
• Prescribed fire is needed to maintain native flora and enhance cover for turkeys.

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannas are economically and ecologically important throughout the southeastern United States; however, deforestation and other land use changes have led to their decline. Fortunately, natural resource professionals have recognized the importance of restoring these ecologically important forests that support a diversity of native flora and fauna. Although efforts are underway to restore longleaf pine savannas, little information exists on Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) reproductive ecology within these systems. Therefore, we used radio telemetry to investigate Eastern wild turkey reproductive ecology in 2 longleaf pine-dominated forests in southwestern Georgia during 2011–2013. Forty-two percent of nests (n = 78) were successful (⩾1 egg hatched) with most nest loss resulting from predation. Five nests were exposed to prescribed fire events (2 were successful; 3 were unsuccessful). Thirty-seven percent of females renested following loss to predation, fire, or other factors. Of these, 43% successfully hatched (⩾1 egg hatched). We monitored 34 broods post-hatch. Of the 34 broods, 11 (32%) survived the 14-day flightless period. Of the remaining 11 broods, 7 (64%) survived the following 2-week period (i.e., days 15–30). One of 34 broods was lost to growing-season prescribed fire during the study. Females frequently selected nest sites in areas at the end of their burn rotation (i.e., prior to the next scheduled burn; x¯ = 613.7 days since burn for all nests from nest initiation date; SE = 44.7 days). Habitat characteristics at the nest-site and patch-level had little influence on nest survival, suggesting that once a nest site is chosen, nest predation occurs randomly with respect to habitat characteristics. In addition, timing of nest initiation did not significantly improve nest survival. Management of longleaf pine savannas should focus on applying prescribed fire every 1–2 years to maintain native flora communities while enhancing nest and brood cover. Our results also indicate that growing-season prescribed fire has minimal impact on wild turkey production.