Early efforts to reestablish wild turkeys involved hatching and raising turkeys in pens and then releasing them into the wild. This technique was not successful because the pen-raised birds lacked the survival instincts necessary to survive in the wild. Wildlife biologists now capture wild birds using nets and release the captured birds into suitable areas currently unoccupied by wild turkeys. The Gould's is the only subspecies not hunted in the United States. The Ocellated turkey of Central America is actually a different species.
Insects are rich in protein and provide turkeys a high energy food source.
He can often be seen puffed up, tail feathers fanned out and his wings dragging on the ground. This display is called strutting and the purpose of this display is to attract hens for breeding. During the winter, hard mast such as acorns, are the primary food source for wild turkeys. Planting soft-mast bearing trees and shrubs, such as hawthorn, crabapple, and dogwood, are important additions to a turkey's winter habitat, especially during years when acorns are in short supply. Hens can also grow beards, but less frequently than gobblers.