Texas Fauna Project

Wild Turkey

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John Burk is a biologist who has focused on wild turkey management for Texas Parks and Wildlife, and later for the National Wild Turkey Federation. Here he points to the lack of insects as a reason for the fall in poult survival, and for decreases in wild turkey numbers in general. Mr. Burk attributes the bug declines at least in part to neonicotinoid pesticide use, but recommends managing land for native plants and early succession as a way to help insect and turkey populations.