Do you live in Indiana and also like watching birds, maybe even turkeys? If so, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has an opportunity just for you.
You can help the Indiana DNR learn more about the state’s wild turkey populations by reporting observations of hens with and without poults (chicks) through Aug. 31.
Anybody who observes wild turkey hens with chicks or hens without chick is encouraged to report their observations online at DNR’s turkey brood reporting web page, on.IN.gov/turkeybrood.
Observations take only a few minutes to report, and no log-in is required.
The survey will be open from July 1 through Aug. 31, with a goal of receiving 3,000 observations across the state during that time.
The DNR uses the reported observations to monitor wild turkey reproduction and calculate the state’s chick-to-hen ratio, or Production Index (PI). The information gathered from the survey will be made available to the public in the annual Wild Turkey Brood Report.
“Statewide turkey populations appear to be stable in Indiana, and monitoring hens and poults gives DNR a better understanding of population trends across the state,” said DNR furbearer and turkey research biologist Andy Byers. “Observations reported by the public are an important part of helping DNR manage wild turkeys.”
For more information on how to identify turkey broods, as well as look at past survey reports, visit on.IN.gov/turkeybrood.
To view more DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.