Volunteers needed for summer wild turkey survey
SCDNR has conducted an annual summer wild turkey survey to estimate reproduction and recruitment of wild turkeys South Carolina since 1982. The survey involves agency wildlife biologists, technicians, game wardens, and many volunteers from other natural resource agencies and the general public. The survey is conducted in July and August each year, and SCDNR is asking for volunteers to participate.
The summer turkey survey is designed to monitor annual nesting success of hens and survival of their young, which has the greatest influence on wild turkey population dynamics. The information allows biologists to calculate many factors essential for sound turkey management, including average brood size, percentage of hens with and without young, gobbler-to-hen ratio, and overall numbers of turkeys seen. Combined with harvest data, this information allows SCDNR to make scientifically-based decisions and recommendations to the S.C. General Assembly in order to manage the wild turkey population now and in the future.
Anyone who spends time outdoors, travels the roads of the state, can identify turkeys and differentiate between gobblers, hens and poults (young turkeys) is welcome to participate. If you are interested in participating in the survey or if you want to learn more, visit www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/turkey/volunbroodsurvey.html.
If you are interested in participating in the annual Summer Turkey Survey the following information will assist you in becoming a survey cooperator.
•The survey period is July 1 – August 29 annually.
•Participants must be able to identify wild turkeys and must be comfortable in telling the difference between hens, poults, and gobblers.
•Observations are made during your normal outdoor activities.
•Print a survey form at www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/turkey/pdf/SurveyFormWeb.pdf
•Record observations from only one county on each survey form. If you see turkeys in more than one county use a separate survey form for each county.
•Record each sighting or group of turkeys as a separate observation. Do not combine all the turkeys you see in a day or on multiple days into one observation.
•Try to avoid recording what you believe are the same turkeys in the same area more than once.
•Be sure to record hens that do not have poults in addition to hens that do have poults. This is very important in determining the overall reproductive success in turkeys.
•Please record your quail sightings in addition to turkeys.
•Completed survey forms may be e-mailed to ruthc@dnr.sc.gov, faxed to 803-734-3691, or mailed to the no later than September 12 each year: Summer Turkey Survey P.O. Box 167 Columbia, SC 29202.
•If you have questions about the survey or would like to be placed on the permanent list of cooperators, contact 803-734-8738 or ruthc@dnr.sc.gov