Volunteers sought for Illinois wild turkey survey

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to help with its wild turkey brood survey this summer.

Volunteers will report young turkeys, adult females and adult males, as well as the county and date seen during June, July and August.

According to a release from the IDNR, the surveys help biologists monitor turkey population trends and reproductive success.

Young turkeys hatch in the summer, so by counting them and adult females, biologists can assess trends in their reproductive success and survival. Biologists count male turkeys to estimate the total amount of wild turkeys and male-to-female ratios.

Submit sightings through the department’s online wild turkey survey. If you cannot submit it electronically, you can have postcards mailed to you. Email dnr.turkey@illinois.gov for more information.



(Photo: Illinois Department of Natural Resources)