The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is calling on volunteer citizen scientists to participate in its annual wild turkey brood survey, a vital effort to help monitor turkey population trends and reproductive success across the state.
During the summer months of June, July, and August, volunteers are asked to report sightings of young turkeys (poults), adult females, and adult males, including the county and date of each observation. These data help IDNR biologists evaluate reproductive success, poult survival, total abundance, and adult male-to-female ratios in Illinois’ wild turkey population.
Volunteers can easily submit their sightings using the IDNR’s electronic wild turkey survey, available via any internet browser on personal computers or mobile devices. The survey is also accessible through the Survey123 app. Those unable to use the digital form may request paper postcards to record their observations.
Participation in the survey provides critical data to guide wildlife conservation strategies and ensures the health and sustainability of wild turkey populations in Illinois.
For more information or to request survey materials, contact DNR.Turkey@illinois.gov.
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