Redirecting research for wild turkeys using global positioning system transmitters

Authors: B. A. Collier, M. J. Chamberlain

For decades, very-high-frequency (VHF) radiotelemetry has been used by researchers to study various aspects of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) ecology and behavior. Although VHF telemetry has provided immeasurable benefits to wild turkey management through research projects across the species range, advancing technology now has created the opportunity to greatly extend telemetry studies and advance our knowledge base. Recent development and testing of global positioning system (GPS) technology integrated with VHF transmitters for wild turkey research has provided wild turkey researchers and managers the ability to standardize data collection at temporal resolutions and spatial scales that were not possible previously. We offer several examples of initial field studies using micro-GPS on wild turkeys, outline general descriptive results from these studies, and provide our perspective on how wild turkey research should proceed after adding GPS to our technological toolbox. Our objective is to provide ideas to generate discussions that will propel research and management efforts and refine management of habitats and wild turkey populations.

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