The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking input from the public in surveying wild turkey this summer.
On its website, participants are requested to record the number of wild turkey they see, along with the location, date, and contact information for the Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Sighting Survey, which runs from July 1 to Aug. 31, and it’s to help if agency biologists have any questions. Viewers can also see results from previous years.
Game Commission Turkey Biologist Mary Jo Casalena said the survey “enhances our agency’s internal survey, which serves as a long-term index of turkey reproduction,” and it’s also used in the Game Commission’s turkey population model.
Some factors that affect wild-turkey productivity include spring weather, habitat, previous winter-food abundance, predation and last fall’s harvest.
The Game Commission adds that the above-average reproductive success last summer, which equaled 3.1 poults per hen, coupled with shorter hunting seasons allowed for a higher turkey survival heading into the 2022 breeding season.
Those interested in participating can do so by clicking here.
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