logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Turkey Researchers Report Poor Nesting Success in June
Sports
July 20, 2023
Turkey Researchers Report Poor Nesting Success in June
By Oklahoma State University

Wild Turkey population dynamics and brood survival project report

Provided by the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Wild turkey genetics, nesting success, and brood survival are among the research topics in a 4.5-year, $2 million study launched in 2022 by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, other state and federal entities, and private landowners working together to address wild turkey population dynamics. Following is a summary of recent study activities.

SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA POPULATION STUDY AREA: Researchers continued monitoring radio-marked hens for nesting activity. Two mortalities occurred during June, with one attributed to predation and one to an unknown cause. Since the start of the year, 17 mortalities have been confirmed.

Researchers are tracking and monitoring 13 hens, none of which is currently nesting. The status of five radio-marked hens is undetermined at present. Two nests were found during June, both of which were depredated later.

Researchers observed one successful hatch involving nine poults in June. Five of those poults were captured and tagged, but all were subsequently depredated.

The National Wild Turkey Federation was able to attend and video the last poult capture. Additionally, the vegetation sampling at nest locations is complete and researchers are in the process of retrieving camera traps.

SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA POPULATION STUDY AREA: Researchers continued monitoring radio-marked hens and recorded eight nest initiations during June, three of which were first attempts, four were second attempts, and one being a third attempt. But seven nests were lost during June, with three losses attributed to predation and four to unknown causes. The failed nests were incubated from two to 23 days, with a per-nest average of 9.9 days. All egg remains were swabbed for environmental DNA to determine predator species.

One nest successfully hatched in late May, and another in June. Poult captures were completed for both successful nests. For the May nest, six of seven poults were captured and tagged. The single poult hatched in the June nest was successfully tagged. Unfortunately, the hen with the single poult was depredated the next day.

Of the six tagged poults from the May nest, we resighted all of them two weeks after capture; five the third week; three the fourth week; and two the last week. During the last week, the hen was flocked with two other hens with a total of 12 poults. We were unable to recover any of the poult transmitters, and we do not know if the transmitters fell off the tagged poults or if the poults perished.

Three hens were lost in June — two occurring on the nest, and all attributed to predation. All perished hens’ transmitters were retrieved and swabbed for eDNA to determine predator species.

At the end of June, researchers were tracking and monitoring 13 hens in the southwest, four of which were actively incubating. The status of three additional radio-marked hens was undetermined.

GENETICS STUDY: Researchers are processing and extracting DNA from wild turkey tissue samples. Once extracted, all samples from both 2022 and 2023 will be taken to a genomics facility in College Station, Texas, for low coverage whole genome sequencing.

Local church supports those with disabilities
A: Main, News...
Local church supports those with disabilities
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Last week His Ability Ministries with Checotah First Assembly of God offered training for disability friendly churches with Lonnie and Janet Nance from Unlimited Ministries of Springfield, Missouri. L...
this is a test
Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
A: Main, News...
Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Memorial Service for Bill Duvall Friday, July 18 at 11 a.m. First Baptist Church, Checotah When Bill Duvall was called to meet His Maker in the Great Round Up in the sky this past Sunday, Checotah los...
this is a test
Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
A: Main, News...
Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
July 17, 2025
Get ready for another funfilled weekend as the 41st Annual Whole Hawg Arts & Crafts Festival prepares to get underway, Friday and Saturday, July 25-26. The festival will consist of Arts & Crafts, a ro...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 17, 2025
Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service will be hel...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Man facing obscenity charges
July 17, 2025
Ryan Troy Dick, a 52-yearold Sallisaw resident, is being held in the McIntosh County Jail pending his preliminary hearing on charges related to indecent photographs and videos sent to a former girlfri...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Carey trial set on rape charge
July 17, 2025
Arnold Willard Carey Jr., 28, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on July 9 and his rape case was placed on the Sept. 29 sounding docket for the next trial. The McIntosh County resident has been...
this is a test
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A: Main, News...
Juvenile dies following accident near Longtown
July 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a juvenile, whose name and age are being withheld, was fatally injured in a single-vehicle accident that took place at about 10:30 p.m. on July 4. The deceased...
this is a test
Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
News
Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
July 17, 2025
Class of Checotah band students were recently recognized at Texoma Marching Arts and Leadership Academy (TMALA). TMALA Band Leadership was led by Ryan Edgmon, Director of Bands for Mustang Public Scho...
this is a test
Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
News
Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
July 17, 2025
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation held its Sexual Assault Awareness Walk (SAAM) last Friday, July 12, at 12 p.m. in Posey Park. The event was originally scheduled for April but was rained out. Community sup...
this is a test
News
Oktaha Trinity Baptist Church Vacation Bible School
July 17, 2025
The Great Jungle Journey An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation July 21- 25 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Ages: 4-12 years Dinner will be provided.
this is a test
Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
News
Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
July 17, 2025
Following a competency hearing on July 9, Wilburton resident Glen Edward Calvin, 54, was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing in McIntosh County District Court at 2 p.m. Aug. 20. On a charge of...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy