The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a culturally significant game animal for the Cherokee. During the 19th and early 20th century, turkey numbers plummeted in the southeastern U.S. due to overhunting and habitat degradation. Regional restoration efforts have led to the successful recovery of turkey, which have been hunted on EBCI lands since 2006. Turkey season runs from the second Saturday in April to the third Saturday in May each year. Long term population data and the analysis of trends are essential to inform management decisions on EBCI lands.
Management actions include:
- Poult surveys
- Call surveys