Plant food plots to supplement native foods and to attract or retain turkeys during specific seasons of the year. Plots should be well distributed and located in or near woodlands. Where turkeys and deer are abundant, plots of at least 1 acre are needed. Corn, chufa, soybeans, and grain sorghums are planted extensively to supplement fall and winter foods of turkeys. Vetch, rye, wheat, clover, and oats provide winter grazing for turkeys.
Turkeys can adapt to widely varying conditions.
Given adequate protection, large turkey populations may exist in marginal habitat. Poaching, however, may limit population growth in very good habitat. Restrict access to lands managed for turkeys and erect gates at the entrances of all access roads to discourage unnecessary traffic. Minimize disturbances to hens during nesting and brood rearing. Pen or remove free-ranging dogs.