Friday, June 24, 2016

Help IN DNR monitor wild turkey production through online survey

The DNR is asking for help from the public to monitor summer production of wild turkeys.

Volunteers will use a web-based survey to record wild turkey sightings during July and August to help provide information about annual turkey reproduction. This online system allows for broader coverage across the state and greater participation from the public.

The surveys provide useful estimates about annual production by hens and the survival of poults through the summer brood-rearing period. Summer brood survival is generally the primary factor influencing wild turkey population trends. Information on summer brood survival is essential for sound turkey management.

Information gathered through the brood survey includes:

Average brood sizes (total number of hens and total number of poults)
Percentage of adult hens with poults
Overall numbers of turkeys seen.
Participants will be asked to report:

Number of turkeys seen and the county the observation was made
Sex and relative age (adult or poult) of the birds
A brood sighting is one in which is one or more hens with poults
Adult hens without young
Sightings of gobblers or gobbler groups.
The survey, and additional information, is at wildlife.IN.gov/8641.htm.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

Media contact: Steve Backs, turkey biologist, DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, (812) 849-4586, sbacks@dnr.IN.gov.