DEC seeks citizen scientists to monitor wild turkeys

Thursday, July 29, 2021 - 17:59
Wild turkey hen with poults.

— Photo by Gordon Ellmers, DEC
Wild turkey hen with poults.

The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation is looking for citizens to help it conduct its annual Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey.

“Reporting the turkeys you see this August helps DEC monitor the turkey population and contributes to our ongoing scientific efforts to survey this species,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos in a statement.

Since 1996, the DEC has tracked wild turkey populations and estimated the number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen statewide. Weather, predation, and habitat conditions during breeding and brood-rearing seasons can significantly impact nest success, and hen and poult survival. This index allows the DEC to gauge reproductive success and predict the potential for hunting turkeys in the fall.

During August, survey participants record the sex and age composition of all flocks of wild turkeys observed during normal travel. Those interested in participating can click the “Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Online report” on the DEC’s website: https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48732.html.

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