SPECIAL REPORT—How did and, more importantly, will wild turkeys do in the Midwest after the recent flooding? Three National Wild Turkey Federation biologists offer their scientific insights here on the Strut Zone for us turkey hunters . . .

John Burk, NWTF regional biologist for Iowa and Missouri, said, "Direct flooding does not cause direct mortality in wild turkeys. The rainfall that caused the flooding can have a short-term affect on wild turkey reproduction, but it should be minimal.”

Kent Adams, NWTF regional biologist for Illinois, emphasized that, "The real impact on nesting has more to do with the weather that brings on the flooding. The cooler, wet weather has more impact than the flooding itself. Cool, wet late spring and early summer affects turkey populations for a single year."
Adams continued: "Flooding, specifically, doesn't have that big of an overall impact other than some nests getting flooded out at the wrong time. The adult birds that were on the ground weren't affected by it. They could walk or fly and get out of the way of the floods." And what about the question of re-nesting?

On this note, Adams said, "Turkeys do have the capability of renesting if their first attempt is ruined. Generally, it is a reduced clutch size and obviously those poults get a later start this summer. Re-nesting does occur, and it is just another way that nature has built in to guard against these sorts of natural disasters."

Dave Neu, NWTF regional biologist for Wisconsin, offered that, "[The weather] affected local areas as far as nesting goes this year. You might have a year or two where there's less jakes, but they will rebound. It didn't cover the entire landscape." Neu also said, "Turkeys will renest once the ground dries out, or they will head to higher ground where it's dry with nesting cover. Evidence shows they will renest two or three times if conditions are favorable. —Steve Hickoff