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Platte River Status: Introduced by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission areas along the North Platte River in Garden County in 1962. Most of the current population along the mainstem of the Platte River is the result of stocking efforts during 1975-1983. Currently a fairly common although local resident, primarily within the Platte River physiographic region. Spring hunting of wild turkeys was allowed in the Central Platte region for the first time in 1986.

Breeding Range: An increasingly common nesting species in the Platte River Valley physiographic region, especially in the Big Bend region. Rare or absent elsewhere within the study area.

Breeding Population: We failed to record wild turkey on any of the random census plots in 1979-1980. Flocks in excess of 50 birds were reported along the Platte River in Hall County during the winter of 1985-1986. We estimate the current population at 200 nesting pairs.

Habitat: Wild turkey usually places its nest under a fallen branch or along a fenceline at the edge of wooded areas near large openings or meadows. One nest was located in an open cottonwood forest beneath a cedar tree. Wild turkeys in the Platte River Valley apparently avoid areas of dense understory vegetation for nest placement. However, Williams (1981) stated that this species prefers dense brush, river, deep grass and fallen tree tops for nest placement. Lindzey (1967) and Markley (1967) each observed that wild turkeys prefer open woodlands. Blackburn et al. (1975) reported that interspersion of grassy, permanent forest openings, along with adjacent ecotonal areas provide suitable brood rearing habitat. The interspersion of hardwood forests and agricultural lands is an important feature of wild turkey habitat in the upper midwest (Porter 1978).

Effect of Habitat Alteration: The development of floodplain forests within the Platte River Valley has increased the amount of suitable habitat for this species. Wild turkey has a low tolerance for continuous and varied human activities (Davis 1976). Populations may decline due to habitat losses associated with residential expansion, highway and reservoir construction, and expanded row crop farming (Schroeder 1985).

Nesting Data: Five nests have been located during 29 April (1985) through late June (1985). Two-week-old fledglings were observed at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, on 27 May which indicated that the onset of incubation was about 15 April. A nest with 16 eggs was destroyed during a prescribed burn at the Rowe Sanctuary, Kearney County on 7 May 1986. Oklahoma egg dates range from 5 May to 18 July (Johnsgard 1979).