BUFFALO, MO – June 8, 2021 – In response to the plight of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations across their range, Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc., (QUWF) designed and built wild turkey nesting boxes and are now offering those nesting box building plans for free. “The wild turkey decline is cause for serious concern, and we’re delighted to offer this option to help the turkey during this perfect storm,” stated QUWF Executive Director, Craig Alderman. “Nesting site survival rates have decreased steadily due to many factors including extreme weather changes, cold and heavy spring rains, and loss of habitat. Also, due to longer nesting periods, wild turkey nests, hens and their eggs are increasingly exposed to opportunistic predators,” Alderman stated.

Nesting boxes have shown success for many wildlife species and, where utilized, seem to be strong indicators of improved nest survival. Similar nesting boxes have been used on farms and ranches, not on commercial turkey farms. The QUWF wild turkey nesting box is based on a compilation of those designs. Scientific data has yet to be recorded to determine the efficacy of the nesting box, but helping nature out a little, can’t hurt.

“Key design benefits of the nesting box include stable legs – which elevate the box off the ground – and closed sides, back, and top which limits predator approach, especially avian. The box is vented, but prevents access through the vents and due to weather-resistant construction design, averts water saturation of the nest. The center hold-down ground anchor further stabilizes the unit during intense weather conditions, and the box should be positioned with its back to the prevailing winds,” says Nick Prough, Chief Wildlife Biologist of QUWF. “The design incorporates a natural roost bar for easier poult access and egress, and also includes a means by which to attach limbs and branches to the sides of the box, helping conceal its location,” Prough said.

The nesting box building plans include detailed instructions, photos, tools list, materials list (estimated costs), and scaled-cut diagrams. The entire box is intentionally built with commonly-owned tools and materials readily available at local lumber yards and hardware stores. “Our hope is that building the nesting box will be a fun family project with the kids, grandkids, youth groups, and chapter members,” noted Bob Peterson, QUWF Missouri State Regional Biologist. Complete nesting box building plans (pdf) will soon be available on QUWFs website for FREE.

Special thanks to the sponsors who made the nesting box possible: Bass Pro Shops-Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, ALPS Outdoors, Cuddeback Game Cameras, Truax Seed Drills, DooLittle Trailer Manufacturing, and RUGER Firearms.

About the Bass Pro Shops-Cabela’s Outdoor Fund:

Guided by the visionary leadership of Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, the Outdoor Fund empowers Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s 200 million annual customers to support conservation efforts by rounding up their purchases. Rallying passionate customers alongside dedicated team members, industry partners and leading conservation organizations like QUWF, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is creating North America’s largest conservation movement to collectively shape the future of the outdoors and all who love it for generations to come.

About QUWF:

Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation® is the only not-for-profit Veteran founded and managed upland game conservation organization in the Nation. Established in 2009 and based in Buffalo, Missouri, QUWF exists to conserve, preserve, and restore fish and wildlife habitat. Its holistic mission considers partnerships working diverse public and private landscapes, streams, grasslands, pasturelands, croplands, and forests. QUWF’s transparent and efficient model is designed to focus efforts, dollars donated, and partnerships on habitat projects that Turn-The-Dirt® in concert with local and national chapters which manage and control their own funds. To join QUWF, get involved in clean stream efforts, youth fishing teams or to begin a chapter dedicated to the habitat restoration and population recovery of wild quail and upland species, visit www.quwf.net or email ADMIN@quwf.net.

QUWF is a proud Conservation Partner of the Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and a member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.