Habitat selection models for eastern wild turkeys in central Mississippi

Few quantitative models of habitat use exist for eastern wild turkey (Melea gris gallopavo silvestris). We used logistic regression to build and cross- validate sex- and season-specific multivariate models of habitat selection For wild turkeys in central Mississippi. mie examined 4 models: successfull y nesting and unsuccessfully nesting females during preincubation, spring m ales, and summer males. Preincubation females were associated with riparian corridors, perhaps to travel from bottomland areas to upland nesting sites . During preincubation, successfully nesting females were more closely asso ciated with potential nesting habitat than unsuccessfully nesting females. Habitat selection by males during spring corresponded with habitat use of f emales. During summer, males were nonselective in their habitat choices. Mo dels developed were consistent with and complemented data from previous stu dies on this area. Our modeling procedure may be useful for other studies o f wild turkey habitat selection. We recommend using habitat models in conju nction with habitat use analyses (e.g., use versus availability) to maximiz e information gained from habitat selection studies. Habitat management for turkeys in a predominantly forested area should include maintenance of rip arian corridors and habitat diversity, with a preponderance of mature (>40- yr-old) timber stands, and a 3-4-year burning rotation in mature pine stand s.