Wild turkeys represent one of North America greatest wildlife restoration stories, recovering from near-extinction to abundant populations across their historic range.
Wild turkeys recovered through intensive restoration programs combining habitat protection, trap-and-transplant programs, and regulated hunting. Individual welfare during hunting seasons depends on hunter skill, weapon choice, and proximity to minimize wounded birds that escape. Hunter-shot birds that are not recovered may die slowly from injuries. Non-hunting mortality sources include predation, severe winters, parasites, and habitat degradation. Wild turkeys range widely and require a mosaic of forest and open habitats. Agricultural intensification reduces brood habitat. The success of wild turkey restoration is a model for wildlife management but individual animal welfare during harvest deserves more attention in hunting education programs.