Beech Tree News Network

Report wild turkey sightings during the summer brood survey

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources asks the public to be on the lookout for Kentucky’s native wild turkeys this summer and share their observations through the summer turkey brood survey, now through Aug. 31. Survey results will help biologists better understand and manage wild turkey populations in the state.

“Turkey populations naturally fluctuate from year to year,” said Zak Danks, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Wild Turkey Program coordinator. “This survey helps us gauge numbers in all parts of the state.”

To report sightings of wild turkeys during the survey window, July 1 to Aug. 31, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Summer Turkey Brood Survey webpage, or enter the key words “turkey survey” in the search bar on the agency’s website (fw.ky.gov) to access the online survey portal, link to the mobile survey app or download a printable form that can be mailed or emailed to the department. Data collected through this survey help the department to better understand turkey population trends over time.

“Kentucky and most states around us just experienced excellent spring turkey harvests, which reflected great hunting weather but also much-improved hatches the past few summers. The summer survey helps us be vigilant with our monitor of the flock,” Danks said.

State fish and wildlife agencies are conducting scientific research to shed more light on the status of turkey populations. Turkey observation data gained through the public survey are used in conjunction with research findings, making this citizen-science data set vital for long-term conservation.

Questions on the annual summer turkey brood survey or turkey hunting may be directed to the agency’s information center at 800-858-1549, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (ET)weekdays, excluding state holidays, or at [email protected].