Adult males form flocks that rarely associate with hens outside of the breeding period. In late fall, young males separate from their brood and form jake flocks. Occasionally, juvenile gobblers will associate with adult gobblers. Within a flock there is a hierarchy or pecking order in which a rank of dominance is established. Generally, older birds are more dominant than are younger birds, and larger turkeys dominate smaller turkeys.
Males usually dominate females.
Home ranges of wild turkeys vary greatly by season and individual. Generally, home ranges tend to be largest from fall through spring. At this time, gobblers use an average of 4-plus square miles, which declines to an average of just over 2 square miles in summer. However, on an annual basis, individual gobbler home ranges may range from 3 to 11 square miles, based on recent research conducted in central Mississippi. Just after the poults are hatched, a hen-brood flock's range may be limited to 100 acres, which increase weekly after hatching date.