The Gould’s turkey is a mountain bird that is found in the southwestern mountains ranging from 4,500 to more than 7,000 feet in elevation. The habitat is intersperced with steep, rough, and rocky canyons and drainages. Pinion pines and several species of scrub oaks in the canyon bottoms provide Gould’s turkeys with good food, roost trees, nesting areas and security cover. Because of the rugged terrain this subspecies inhabits, turkey management for these species includes habitat preservation more than active habitat management.