Although turkeys are non-migratory resident species, they have large home ranges that change with the seasons of the year. Turkeys tend to be widely dispersed during the spring and summer nesting/brood-rearing period. Nesting and brood-rearing habitat is similar to that required for quail, but on a larger scale: scattered thickets of low growing brush, patchy residual herbaceous vegetation, and a moderately grazed, diverse grass/forb plant community that produces seeds and insects.

After the breeding season, numerous smaller flocks that were widely dispersed during the summer tend to congregate into large winter flocks. The ranges of winter flocks are centered around riparian areas (the floodplains of large creeks and rivers) that have moderately dense stands of tall, full canopied trees. These winter flocks will disperse several miles from their riparian area roost sites on daily feeding forays. Turkeys are attracted to feeders and supplemental food plantings provided for deer and quail. The nearness of a ranch to a winter roost site and the availability of a food source determine to what extent turkeys are present during the winter months.

Habitat management for the wild turkey concerns the availability of water, food, and cover. The distribution of these key components of the range is of major importance. Water must be distributed throughout the area. Food availability of the native range can be increased by the following activities: (1) moderately stock the range with domestic animals; (2) utilize a deferred rotation grazing system; (3) control total deer numbers by harvesting does; (4) control feral hog numbers. In summary, range management activities that increase the diversity of grasses, forbs, shrubs, trees, and vines improve the habitat for the wild turkey.

Preservation of roosting sites is a key factor to maintaining a turkey population on a sustained basis. Turkeys also need escape cover to travel to and from roosting sites. Preferred species of trees utilized as roosting sites include pecan, sycamore, live oak, elm, hackberry, western soapberry, and large mesquite. Dense brush thickets or solid block clearing provide poor habitat for turkey. Clearing programs that leave brush strips between cleared areas are advantageous. Avoid removing hardwood trees such as the various species of oaks, hackberry, elm, or large mesquite. If clearing is needed to improve the range, irregular shaped cleared strips that follow topography are best.

Feeding high protein pelleted feed from January through March will help increase winter survival. Supplemental feeding will also increase the reproductive potential of the hens.

Although turkeys are non-migratory resident species, they have large home ranges that change with the seasons of the year. Turkeys tend to be widely dispersed during the spring and summer nesting/brood-rearing period. Nesting and brood-rearing habitat is similar to that required for quail, but on a larger scale: scattered thickets of low growing brush, patchy residual herbaceous vegetation, and a moderately grazed, diverse grass/forb plant community that produces seeds and insects.