Planting for the Poults
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — As part of a Bass Pro and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund grant awarded to the National Wild Turkey Federation earlier this year, the NWTF and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have partnered to convert an old agricultural field to a wildlife meadow on the Waldo Tract within the Mohegan State Forest, in Sprague, Connecticut.
The project entailed planting conservation seed, including warm-season grasses and a pollinator mix, across 16 acres. These habitat enhancements will support nesting brooding hens and poults and create better quality hunting opportunities throughout the year, contributing to the NWTF’s Forests and Flocks Initiative. The Mohegan State Forest offers a variety of hunting opportunities, including small game, waterfowl, turkey and deer.
After seeding, the NWTF conducted herbicide treatments along the edge of the tract, targeting invasive species, such as mile-a-minute vine that outcompete native species. The site will be monitored, and follow-up treatments will be completed as needed.
“This project directly supports the Forests and Flocks Initiative by restoring and enhancing high-quality early successional habitat within a largely forested landscape,” said Kaylee Szymanski, NWTF district biologist. “Converting a former agricultural field into a diverse native warm-season grass and pollinator-friendly alluvial grassland will create critical brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys by providing abundant insects, overhead cover and open travel corridors essential for poult survival during the first few weeks of life.”
The Waldo Tract runs along the Shetucket River and is situated within a migratory bird corridor. The enhanced habitat will not just benefit the wild turkey and other species that live their annual cycle in the forest, but also migratory birds.
“NWTF members in the state of Connecticut are very pleased to use funds to improve wild turkey habitat and sportsmen’s access,” said Dave Shepack, NWTF Connecticut State Chapter president. “Our chapter is glad to see these funds used in our state.”
This work complements additional accomplishments in the northeast that were made possible through the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund.
Like the Waldo Tract project, the NWTF and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources bolstered habitat for the wild turkey by planting a pollinator mix and targeting invasive species on 100 acres. These kinds of habitat projects wouldn’t be possible without the support of NWTF volunteers and dedicated partners like Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to create healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.