Wild turkeys recovered dramatically from near-extinction through conservation programs, but hunting practices and habitat loss continue to affect individual animal welfare across their restored range.
Wild turkeys that are non-lethally wounded during hunting suffer from injuries ranging from broken wings to internal hemorrhage. Birds that escape initial shots may die slowly over hours or days. Hunting during spring breeding season disrupts social structures when tom removal affects subordinate male behavior and female mate choice. Beyond hunting, turkeys in urbanizing landscapes face vehicle strike risk, domestic dog predation, and loss of foraging habitat. The welfare of individual turkeys is intertwined with the quality of management of hunting pressure and habitat.