Eastern wild turkeys are found in 38 states and one Canadian province. It is the most abundant of the five subspecies found in the U.S. and Canada.
Merriam's wild turkeys occur in 15 states and 2 Canadian provinces. Within its suspected historic range in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado, the Merriam's was relatively isolated from the other subspecies of wild turkey. Current evidence supports the hypothesis that it was a relative newcomer to western American wildlife when the Europeans discovered it. It has been successfully stocked beyond its suspected natural range in the Rocky Mountains and outside of the mountains into Nebraska, Washington, California, Oregon and other areas. Merriam's are found in some habitat areas that, if altered by timber harvesting, overgrazing or development, populations may be lost. Their normal range receives annual rainfall amounts averaging between 15 and 23 inches. Some Merriam's migrate from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to higher elevations in summer for breeding and nesting and return to winter in the lower elevations. Movement distances vary but more than 40 mile movements are not unusual. Movements may differ annually and geographically, depending on snow conditions. Movements from wintering areas occur between mid-March and mid-April. Merriam's wild turkeys winter in low elevation ponderosa pine habitats and pinyon - juniper woodlands. Snow depth and duration, food availability, and the presence of suitable roost trees are key factors that determine where turkeys winter or if populations will survive. Snow conditions may force turkeys into riparian habitats well below the conifer zone. Here turkeys may use cottonwoods for roosting and may become dependent upon human related sources of food such as barnyards, grainfields, silage pits or feedlots.
The Gould's wild turkey is currently not hunted in the United States, but occurs in small populations in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. In the U.S. Gould's turkeys are found in the Animas and San Luis mountains of New Mexico and in the Peloncillo Mountains of New Mexico and Arizona. Mountain ranges where Gould's are found orient north and south with elevations ranging from 4,500 to 6,500 feet in the U.S. and over 9,800 feet in Mexico. Turkey habitat can be rough with steep and rocky canyons. Gould's turkey range in the U.S. has a continental climate characterized by wide daily and annual fluctuations in distinct seasonal changes with hot summers and mild winters. Average annual precipitation is 18 inches, more than half falling between July and September. About 10 inches of snow fall in winter accounts for the rest. In Mexico climate conditions are about the same as those found in the U.S., however, winters are colder and there is more snow in the higher mountains. The Gould's turkey has been studied the least and, as a result, has the smallest amount of information available about it. However, new studies are underway in Arizona, New Mexico, as well as Mexico to help us learn more about this unique subspecies.
The Florida wild turkey, also, referred to as the Osceola, is found only on the peninsula of Florida. This particular subspecies was first described in 1890 by W.E.D. Scott who named it for the famous Seminole Chief, Osceola, who led his tribe against the Americans in a 20-year war beginning in 1835. Florida is the only state with a native population of the Florida wild turkey. Its coloration's and behavior are ideal for the flat pine woods, oak and palmetto hammocks, and swamp habitats of Florida.
