
IDNR Seeks Volunteers to Help Track Illinois’ Wild Turkeys
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is calling on outdoor enthusiasts to serve as volunteer citizen scientists this summer to help track wild turkey populations.
Citizens Invited to Aid Statewide Wild Turkey Monitoring
According to the press release, the annual brook survey runs through June, July, and August and is essential in helping biologists measure reproductive success and overall population trends.
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Volunteers are asked to report sightings of young turkeys (poults), adult females, and adult males. Observations must include the date and the county in which they were recorded.
These reports help wildlife biologists estimate total turkey numbers, male-to-female ratios, and young survival rates. All are key indicators of species health.
Trends Show Rebounding Turkey Numbers
Because of the 10 years that Illinois citizens have been contributing to the count of wild turkeys, Illinois biologists have detected promising trends in the state's wild turkey population.
Data from 2019 to 2024 show a significant rise in reproductive success, with poults per hen (PPH) increasing from 1.62 in 2019 to over 3.0 in both 2023 and 2024.
Poult survival has also improved, with poults per brood (PPB) rising from 3.69 to 4.23.
Nesting success has climbed, with hens observed with broods growing from 53 percent to more than 75 percent. The male to female ratio remains steady at .46 to .48, which indicates consistent survival through hunting seasons and winter months.
How to Get Involved
The survey is easy to complete through the IDNR's online portal, accessible on computers and mobile devices. For those without internet access, mail-in postcards are available upon request.
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