New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today encouraged New Yorkers to participate in a survey for wild turkeys throughout the month of August.

Citizen science efforts provide wildlife managers with invaluable data and give the public the opportunity to partner with DEC to help monitor New York's wildlife resources. Participants can record observations of turkeys while exploring the forests and fields around their home or driving through the state's beautiful landscapes this summer.

Since 1996, DEC has conducted the Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey to estimate the number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen statewide. Weather, predation and habitat conditions during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons can all significantly impact nest success, hen survival and poult survival. This index allows us to gauge reproductive success and predict fall harvest potential.

During the month of August, survey participants record the sex and age composition of all flocks of wild turkeys observed during normal travel. Those that would like to participate can submit a Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey form.